EFFECT OF CIGARETTE SMOKING ON SERUM TRANSAMINASES.

Abstract

Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activity were assessed in 20 mild to moderate smokers, 20 heavy smokers and 20 non smokers, all males, aged between 17 and 35 years in Calabar Cross River State, Nigeria. The activity of both enzymes showed insignificant differences (P>0.05) in mild to moderate smokers when compared to non-smokers. However, the activity of both enzymes were significantly elevated (P<0.005) in heavy smokers when compared to non-smokers. The results of this study point to the hazardous effects of cigarette smoking, which should be clearly highlighted in all campaigns against cigarette smoking.


Keywords: Cigarette smoking, alanine transaminases, aspartate transaminase.


(Global J Med Sci: 2002 1(1): 7-11)