Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Serum Homocysteine and Vitamin B12 Level in Male Population of Udaipur

Cigarette smoking is known to be associated with increased plasma Homocysteine. Both known to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the effect of smoking on serum Homocysteine and vitamin B12 concentration. Serum Homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels were measured in 300 male subjects. Out of which 150 were smokers and 150 non-smokers (controls) with an age range of 50 to 60 years. Only chronic smokers who were smoking for more than 20 years were included in the study. The concentration of Homocysteine in smokers was 17.51 ± 7.44 μmol/L and in non-smokers was 8.61 ± 5.32 μmol/L. Instead the concentration of vitamin B12 in smokers was 346.83 ± 125.76 pg/ml and in non-smokers was 481.43 ± 174.65 pg/ml. There was significant increase in concentration of Homocysteine in serum of chronic smokers as compared to non-smokers while it was inverse in case of vitamin B12. The concentration of vitamin B12 was significantly decreased in serum of chronic smokers as compared to non-smokers. Thus this study concludes that smoking increases Homocysteine levels and decreases vitamin B12 levels leading to increase cardiovascular disease risk among smokers.