Paraoxonase-1 activity in non-smoking and smoking healthy male blood donors

Introduction: Human serum PON1 is an antioxidant enzyme associated with HDL-type complexes where it plays a key role in neutralizing oxidized lipids. It also protects the HDL particle from oxidation and preserves its integrity. Its levels have been reported to alter in a variety of diseases involving oxidative stress including smoking. Aim: The association between PON1 activity, HDL and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) levels in smoking and nonsmoking blood donors is studied here. Materials and Methods: 80 healthy blood donors aged 25-45 years were grouped as non-smokers (Group I) and smokers (Group II). Blood pressure (BP), weight, height, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were noted. Body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. PON1, HDL, oxLDL were estimated in the serum. Results: Both groups had comparable BMI, WC, HC, WHR and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). There was significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP; p<0.05), PON1 and HDL (p < 0.01) and an increase in oxLDL (p < 0.01) in Group II. Conclusion: Smoking lowers SBP and also causes a profound decrease in PON1 and HDL levels with associated increase in oxLDL levels which can be attributed to the oxidative stress induced by smoking.