EFFECT OF ALCOHOL INTAKE AND CIGARETTE SMOKING ON LIPID PROFILE LEVELS AND SELECTED INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKERS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Dr. Godwin Olawoyin Adunmo Department of Medical Laboratory Science Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria Background: Alcoholism and cigarette smoking pose serious health risks globally. They have a connection to several diseases that are the main causes of sickness and death. Relatively few studies have examined the effects of alcohol use and cigarette smoking on lipid profile levels and particular inflammatory biomarkers, in contrast to the substantial body of research on the effects of smoking on traditional indicators that explain the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, we assess how lipid profile levels and certain inflammatory biomarkers are affected by alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. Method: The study involved the recruitment of 160 participants. Data pertaining to their medical records, daily alcohol and cigarette use, and length of smoking were gathered using a structured questionnaire. The participants were divided into additional groups: smokers (40), alcoholics (40), alcoholic-smokers (40), and controls (40). Spectrophotometric analysis was used to assess the overall cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, protein content in general, and CRP. LDL-cholesterol, cardiac risk Indices and atherogenic Indices were determined using Friedewald and Castelli formulas, respectively. Result: In comparison with the control group, the levels of total protein and albumin were considerably lower in smokers, alcoholics, and alcoholic-smokers (p < 0.05). In contrast, CRP levels were elevated in smokers, alcoholics, and alcoholic-smokers when compared with controls. But as compared to smokers, the number of alcoholics and alcoholic-smokers is significantly lower. Serum levels of low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and overall cholesterol were found to be considerably higher in the groups than in the control group. In relation to the control, the groups' HDL-C levels were, however, far lower. Cardiac risk indices and atherogenic indices were significantly elevated between the groups in contrast to the control. Conclusion: This present study suggests that both cigarette smokers and alcoholics may promote systemic inflammatory processes and systemic lipid disorders. These findings may give an insight to the mechanism by which smoking, and alcohol intake promote arterial sclerosis. KEYWORDS: C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Alcohol, Cigarette Smoking, and Cardiovascular Disease