Relationship Between Addiction to Opium and the Levels of Lipids in Human Serum

SUMMARY In order to investigate the relationship between addiction to opium and the levels of lipids in human serum. This project was carried out in Tehran in the year 1373/1994. 55 opium addicts and 70 non-addicts (controls) were examined for the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL -C and LDL-C. The samples and the controls were all matched and the only difference was that the samples were addicted to opium smoking. Blood samples were taken and the levels of the parameters mentioned above were measured using kits purchased from biomeriux company. The results were as follow: Serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C and LDL-C in opium addicts were 227±42, 165±27, 35±17 and 138.9±52, whereas, in non-addicts the levels were 206±27, 150±15, 43±17 and 127.5±30 respectively. only the level of LDL-C has not changed significantly, but the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride showed a significant increase and the level of HDL-C, showed a significant decrease in opium addicts. From the results it can be assumed that, use of opium not only does not decrease the serum lipids, but it can cause a significant rise in their levels.