title: Comparison of effects of smoking and smokeless tobacco "Maras powder" use on humoral immune system parameters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to assess the impacts of "Maras powder" and cigarette smoking on the parameters of the humoral immune system.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred seventy seven subjects were included in the study. The IgA, IgG, IgM, C3 and C4 levels were detected via nephelometric method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 1.4% of the control group IgM levels were below normal where it was 10.8% and 18.6% in Maras powder group and in cigarette smoking group respectively. The IgM levels of both groups were significantly lower compared to the control group (P < .05). Nonetheless, the IgE levels of Maras powder group and smoking group were found to be remarkably higher compared to the control group (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effects of Maras powder on humoral immune response were found to be similar to that of smoking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, KSU Medical School, 46050 Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aral
authors.forename: Hasan Cetin
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ekerbicer
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ciragil
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis*; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000276:immunology*; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless
chemical_list: D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D007136:Immunoglobulins