Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between adolescent smoking and antioxidant vitamins. Subjects were 87 non-smokers and 90 smokers. who were female high school students. Smokers were divided into tow groups by smoking status, 35 light smokers (packyear<1) and 53 heavy smokers(packyear$\geq$1). Dietary intakes were examined through questionnaires and nutrient intakes of vitamin C and A were analyzed by smoking status using Computer Aided Nutritional analysis program for professional (CAN-PRO). Serum vitamin C level was measured by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method and serum levels of vitamin A and E were measured by HPLC. Erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) method. All data were statistically analyzed by SAS PC package program. The mean vitamin C intakes of non-smokers, light smokers and heavy smokers were 58.2mg/day, 50.1 mg/day 58.1mg/day, respectively. The mean vitamin A intakes of non-smokers, light and heavy smokers were 28.1$\mu\textrm{g}$R.E./day, 278.7$\mu\textrm{g}$R.E./day and 289.6$\mu\textrm{g}$R.E./day, respectively. There was no significant difference in dietary intakes of antioxidant vitamins by smoking status. However, the serum vitamin C level, 11.40mg/l in heavy smokers was 12% lower than that of than that of 12.70mg/l in non-smokers. The serum vitamin A level was not significantly different among the groups. Vitamin E level, 8.79mg/l in heavy smokers was 8% lower than that of 9.53mg/l in non-smokers. There was no significant correlation between the dietary intakes and serum levels of vitamin A and C. The erythrocyte TBARS level, 1.90nmol/ml in light smokers was significantly lower (p<0.05) than 2.71 nmol/ml in heavy smokers or non-smokers. The correlation data showed that the cerythrocyte TBARS level had a significant positive correlation with packyear. Overall results might suggest that cigarette smokers with a longer smoking history need more dietary intakes of vitamin C and E than do non-smokers to reach the same serum level.