The influence of cigarette smoking on lipid profile

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable premature morbidity and mortality in many countries around the world. It has been established that one of the constituents of tobacco i.e Nicotine has considerable influence on increasing the lipid levels in blood. Derangement of cholesterol metabolism leads to increased triglyceride concentration in blood. This study was undertaken in Thanjavur medical college to evaluate lipid profile in young cigarette/bidi smokers in Thanjavur, and compare it with nonsmokers in fasting state. It rules out whether any correlation exists between chronic smokers and lipid level. This study was conducted on 40 healthy male cigarette/bidi smokers and compared with 40 nonsmokers. The smokers must have smoked minimum of daily 3-5 cigarette/bidi for 2 years duration. The study group includes male smokers within the age group of 25-35 years. Age and weight matched non-obese, nonsmokers served as control. The lipid profile parameters include serum Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Triglycerides. The tests were carried out in a semiautoanalyzer. Alterations in the lipid profile are statistically significant in chronic smokers. They have significant increase in serum level of Total cholesterol, LDL, TG and decrease in HDL. So chronic cigarette smoking makes definite change in lipid profile.