Serum Levels of Minerals, Ceruloplasmin, and Ferroxidase Activity in Female Adolescent Smokers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional status of serum minerals, ceruloplasmin, and ferroxidase activity in female adolescent students according to their smoking status. The subjects were 87 non-smokers and 88 smokers, who were female high school students. The smokers were divided into tow groups by smoking status, 35 light smokers(pack-year<1) and 53 smokers(pack-year$\geq$1). The serum concentrations of 6 minerals were determined by ICP emission spectroanalyzer. The serum concentration of ceruloplasmin and ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity were determined. All data were statistically analyzed by SAS PC package program. The serum minerals concentrations of all subjects were in a normal range. There were significantly differences in the concentrations of serum copper, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus by smoking status while there were no significant differences in the concentrations of serum iron and manganese by smoking status. Furthermore there were no significant differences in the ceruloplasmin concentration and ferroxidase activity by smoking status. In conclusion, smoking status altered the serum levels of some minerals in healthy young women. The minerals levels in light smokers with relatively short pack-year(pack-year<1) were altered compared to those in non-smokers or smokers. This finding seemed to be consistent with the results of previously published data related to antioxidant vitamin and lipid peroxide levels. However further research is needed to clarify these findings in female adolescent smokers.