The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare short term effects of smoking cessation on blood oxidant/antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation, lipid/cholesterol levels and paraoxonase activity.

Methods: Sixteen healthy, asymptomatic long-term cigarette smokers (mean age: 35±9 years) participated in the study in the smoking cessation program. After and before smoking cessation, subjects were examined for oxidant/antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation, lipid/cholesterol, paraoxonase activity, breath carbon monoxide levels and blood carboxyhaemoglobin values.

Results: When compared to previous values, subjects were revealed statistically significant decreases in the malondialdehyde and carbon monoxide levels after 4 weeks of smoking cessation. HDL (High density lipoprotein) / LDL (Low density lipoprotein) cholesterol ratio was found to be increased. Additionally significantly increased paraoxonase activity was observed in the blood samples obtained after cigarette cessation period. Results suggest that smoking cessation reduces serum lipid peroxidation products and carbon monoxide levels, and increases blood paraoxonase activity and HDL/LDL ratio.