Relationship between Oxidative Stress, Serum Zinc Level and Systemic Arterial Blood Pressure in Smokers and Non-smokers

Abstract

Background and Aim: Either active or passive smoking causes damage to the heart and blood vessels. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress, serum zinc level and systemic arterial blood pressure in smokers and non-smokers. Methods: A cross sectional comparative study was done. Apparently healthy subjects of age 18-45 years including 40 smokers and 40 non-smokers residing in Magway Township, Myanmar were recruited. Serum zinc level was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Serum malondialdehyde level was used as oxidative stress marker and measured by spectrophotometry. Systemic arterial blood pressure was measured by indirect method using mercury sphygmomanometer. Results: Mean serum zinc level of smokers (51.25±7.5 μg/dL) was significantly lower than that of non-smokers (92.91±27.46 μg/dL) (P< 0.001). Mean serum malondialdehyde level of smokers (0.78±0.14 μmol/L) was significantly higher than that of non-smokers (0.24±0.09 μmol/L) (P< 0.001). Mean Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) of non-smokers was 120.95±5.02 mmHg and that of smokers was 126.55±6.14 mmHg (P<0.05). There was significant negative correlation between serum malondialdehyde level and serum zinc level (r = - 0.75, P< 0.001, n=80). There was also significant negative correlation between serum zinc level and SBP (r = - 0.477, p< 0.001, n=80). There was positive correlation between serum malondialdehyde level and SBP (r = 0.487, p< 0.001, n=80). Conclusion: It could be concluded that smoking increases oxidative stress and decreases serum zinc level and these two changes might contribute to increase in blood pressure in smokers.