ROLE OF BILIRUBIN AS A POTENTIALANTIOXIDANT IN SMOKERS

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, smoking causes about 71% of lung cancer, 42% of chronic respiratory diseases and about 10% of cardiovascular disease. Smokers are exposed to potential oxidative damage. This leads to depletion of the body's defense against oxidative stress, like decrease in the levels of Paraoxanase -1. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant property of Bilirubin in comparison to Paraoxonase-1 in smokers. Materials & methods: This case control study was carried out at Govt. Kilpauk Medical College Hospital after obtaining ethical committee approval and informed consent. This study involves 2 groups with 90 chronic smokers and 90 apparently healthy individuals who are not smokers. Serum Bilirubin and Paraoxanase -1 levels were estimated and compared between these two groups. Correlation between Bilirubin and Paraoxanase-1 was analyzed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS package version 20. Results: The mean value for Bilirubin is 0.566 +/- 0.03 mg/dL in smokers and 0.620 +/- 0.05 mg/dL in non-smokers. There is signicant difference in bilirubin levels between smokers and non smokers (p value - 0.049). The mean value for Paraoxonase-1 is 3.291+/- 0.75 ng/dL in smokers and 4.513+/- 0.96 ng/dL in non-smokers. There is signicant difference in Paraoxanase -1 levels between smokers and non smokers (p value - 0.025). The scatter plot between Paraoxanase -1 and Bilirubin shows no signicant correlation. Conclusion: The Paraoxanase -1 and Bilirubin values in smokers are considerably reduced in comparison to that of non-smokers. This shows that Paraoxanase -1 and Bilirubin exhibits potential antioxidant properties. Bilirubin estimation is inexpensive and can be easily measured rather than measuring other known antioxidants such as PON-1. Role of Bilirubin as a marker to detect the oxidative stress levels in smokers is established in this study