International Journal of
Medicine and Medical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Med. Med. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9723
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJMMS
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 534

Full Length Research Paper

Serum amyloid a protein, rheumatoid factor and lipid profile in relation to tobacco smoking in Saudi subjects

Al-Sieni A.
  • Al-Sieni A.
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80203, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
  • Google Scholar
Al-Abbasi F.
  • Al-Abbasi F.
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80203, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Accepted: 01 September 2010
  •  Published: 30 October 2010

Abstract

Tobacco smoking is a major cause of many diseases including, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, aging and death. The associations between tobacco smoking, serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, rheumatoid factor (RF) and lipid profile were examined in 275 men divided into three groups according to their age (less than 20 years, 20 to 40 years and above 40 years), 91 of whom were current light cigarette smokers (less than 20 cigarettes/day), 91 of whom were heavy smokers (20 cigarettes or more/day) and 93 who had never smoked (control). All men were part of a long-term survey. Obtained showed that, heavy smokers had significantly higher SAA levels than Light smokers or those who had never smoked (p < 0.01 and <0.001 respectively). Mean serum level of RF was statistically significant higher in heavy smokers of over 40 years age group. Serum glucose, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol levels were not affected by smoking in different age groups compared with control group. However serum LDL-c was significantly elevated and HDL-c level was decreased in heavy smokers (p < 0.001) and light smokers (p < 0.05) as compared to control groups. Tobacco smoking is a risk factor for many diseased related to SAA and RF (coronary heart diseases, Alzheimer Rheumatoid arthritis) and these parameters can be used as prognostic markers for survey the hazardous effect of tobacco smoke. 

Key words: Tobacco smoke, serum amyloid A protein, lipid profile, Saudi Arabia.