Abstract

This study was done to compare serum levels of lipids, trace minerals, ceruloplasmin and ferroxidase activity between female college smokers and nonsmokers. Serum levels of lipids, Cu, Zn, ceruloplasmin and ferroxidase activity were determined in 33 smokers and 42 nonsmokers residing in the Seoul area. Serum levels of TG, total cholesterol and HDl-cholesterol were measured using test kits. Serum Cu Zn were determined by the AAS. Serum ceruloplasimin level and ferroxidase activity were determined by spectrophotometric methods. All data were statistically analyzed by the SAS PC package program. Mean and standard errors were calculated for each item, and the significance of the difference between two groups was evaluated by Student's t-test at p<0.05. There was no significant difference in levels of total cholesterol, TG, VLDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, LDL/HDL and atherogenic index, but HDL-cholesterol level was significantly lower(p<0.05) in female college smokers than in nonsmokers. Serum zinc level showed no significant difference, whereas copper level was significantly higher in smokers, consequently yielding higher Cu/Zn ratio in smoking college women. Ceruloplasmin level was 32.6mg/dl in smoking college women, which was significantly higher(p<0.05) than that of 28.6mg/dl in nonsmokers. However, cerulopasmin ferroxidase activity, 0.34U/mg in nonsmokers was higher(p<0.05) than that of 0.29U/mg in smokers. From these results, it is confirmed that cigarette smoking itself has a very detrimental effect on health and mineral nutritional status although the smoking history is relatively short among college women(pack-years=1.7).

• Keywords: serum lipids; serum trace mineral; ceruloplasmin; female college smokers