title: Investigation of the relationship between serum levels of cotinine and the renal function in active and passive smokers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have investigated the effects of active and passive smoking on renal functions in terms of glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, and β-2 microglobulin excretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The volunteers included in this study were classified into three groups as active smokers (n = 24), passive smokers (n = 20), and controls (n = 20). Blood and urine samples were collected from all groups. Serum glucose, urea, creatinine, and cotinine levels in the collected blood samples were measured. Also, microalbumin, β-2 microglobulin, and creatinine levels were measured in the collected urine samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum cotinine levels were found to be higher in both passive and active smokers when compared with controls ( p < 0.01), whereas urinary microalbumin and creatinine levels were significantly higher in active smokers ( p < 0.01). The urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio was significantly increased in both active and passive smokers compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The kidney and the glomerular functions may be affected even by passive smoking. In addition, increased microalbumin/creatinine ratio may be a sign of increased atherosclerosis risk in these persons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey. halukdulger@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dülger
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dönder
authors.forename: Mehmet Ramazan
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sekeroğlu
authors.forename: Reha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Erkoç
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozbay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003367:Cotinine / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D003367:Cotinine