Comparative Study of Oxidative Stress in Cigarette and Bidi Smokers

The aim of the study was to determine the extent of oxidative stress and the antioxidant status in smokers as compared to non-smokers and to know which type of smoking (cigarette or bidi) is more injurious to health. For this purpose 90 male subjects (age group 25-40 years) were studied of which 30 were non-smokers, 30 cigarette smokers, and 30 bidi smokers. Oxidative stress was assessed by estimating malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product in the form of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Antioxidants in the form of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione, vitamin C and E were measured in all the groups. On comparative evaluation, plasma SOD, glutathione, vitamin E and vitamin C levels were significantly decreased (p <0.001) whereas plasma MDA levels were significantly increased (p <0.001) in smokers as compared to non-smokers which showed that smokers are exposed to greater risk of oxidative stress. Further it was concluded that bidi smoking produces more oxidative stress as compared to cigarette smoking.