title: Serum uric Acid in smokers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the possible effect of smoking on serum uric acid.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects enrolled in study were divided into two groups; nonsmokers and smokers, each with 60 male volunteers of the same social class and dietary habit without history of alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, hyperuricemia and gout, renal, joint, lung or heart diseases. Fasting blood and random urine samples were obtained from both groups for measurement of uric acid and creatinine. Calculation of both urine uric acid/urine creatinine ratio and fraction excretion of uric acid were done. The results were statistically evaluated by standard statistical methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in the age, serum creatinine, spot urine uric acid/urine creatinine ratio and fraction excretion of uric acid between the two groups, serum uric acid was significantly lower in smokers. In smokers there was significant negative correlation of smoking status (average number of cigarette smoked/day, duration of smoking and cumulative amount of smoking) with serum uric acid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After exclusion of other factors affecting uric acid level, the significant low serum uric acid level in smokers was attributed to reduce endogenous production as a result of chronic exposure to cigarette smoke that is a significant source of oxidative stress. As this reduction is proportionate with smoking status and predisposes to cardiovascular disease, it is, therefore, recommended for smokers to stop or reduce smoking and introduce serum uric acid estimation as routine test since its cheap and simple to reflect their antioxidant level.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Smokers; Uric acid; CVD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nineveh college of medicine Biochemistry, Mosul, IRAQ.
authors.forename: Bassam E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: Jamal M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hamed
authors.forename: Luma M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Touhala