The effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, vascular dysfunction, and hematological indices

Abstract Smoking remains a major health issue worldwide, causing various diseases. This research examines the effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, blood vascular health, and hematological parameters. A study conducted at Par Private Hospital in Erbil, Iraq, from Apr...

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Main Authors: Zhikal Omar Khudhur, Shukur Wasman Smail, Harem Khdir Awla, Gasheen Bakhtiyar Ahmed, Yara Omar Khdhir, Kawa Amin, Christer Janson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03075-8
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author Zhikal Omar Khudhur
Shukur Wasman Smail
Harem Khdir Awla
Gasheen Bakhtiyar Ahmed
Yara Omar Khdhir
Kawa Amin
Christer Janson
author_facet Zhikal Omar Khudhur
Shukur Wasman Smail
Harem Khdir Awla
Gasheen Bakhtiyar Ahmed
Yara Omar Khdhir
Kawa Amin
Christer Janson
author_sort Zhikal Omar Khudhur
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Smoking remains a major health issue worldwide, causing various diseases. This research examines the effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, blood vascular health, and hematological parameters. A study conducted at Par Private Hospital in Erbil, Iraq, from April to May 2024 examined 104 male heavy smokers and 94 healthy male nonsmokers. Blood and biopsy samples were collected from both groups. The groups had similar age and body mass index, reducing the chances of confounding factors. Smokers showed significantly higher levels of oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (p = 0.002) and nitric oxide (p = 0.002), and lower superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.0001) compared to controls. Smokers displayed significantly elevated levels of serum endothelin-1 and interleukin-8 (p < 0.0001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed a significant rise in myeloperoxidase-positive cells and eosinophilic granule 2-positive eosinophils among smokers, indicating heightened neutrophil and eosinophil activity. Smokers showed elevated neutrophil counts in hematological analysis, while lymphocyte counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio remained unchanged. Oxidative stress parameters, endothelin-1 levels, inflammatory biomarkers, and hematological indices are all significantly influenced by heavy smoking, reflecting systemic inflammation and vascular dysfunction. Public health initiatives are urgently required to address the harmful health consequences of smoking, as indicated by noteworthy changes in inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers. The study offers important information on the physical effects of long-term heavy smoking, enhancing our understanding of the health hazards associated with smoking.
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spelling doaj-art-e813fa739c934d518608e7e98fb09cf92025-08-20T02:03:31ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-03075-8The effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, vascular dysfunction, and hematological indicesZhikal Omar Khudhur0Shukur Wasman Smail1Harem Khdir Awla2Gasheen Bakhtiyar Ahmed3Yara Omar Khdhir4Kawa Amin5Christer Janson6Biology Education Department, Tishk International UniversityDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Salahaddin University-ErbilDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Salahaddin University-ErbilDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Salahaddin University-ErbilBiology Education Department, Tishk International UniversityDepartment of Medicine, Microbiology/Immunology, College of Medicine, University of SulaimaniDepartment of Medical Science, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University and University HospitalAbstract Smoking remains a major health issue worldwide, causing various diseases. This research examines the effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, blood vascular health, and hematological parameters. A study conducted at Par Private Hospital in Erbil, Iraq, from April to May 2024 examined 104 male heavy smokers and 94 healthy male nonsmokers. Blood and biopsy samples were collected from both groups. The groups had similar age and body mass index, reducing the chances of confounding factors. Smokers showed significantly higher levels of oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (p = 0.002) and nitric oxide (p = 0.002), and lower superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.0001) compared to controls. Smokers displayed significantly elevated levels of serum endothelin-1 and interleukin-8 (p < 0.0001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed a significant rise in myeloperoxidase-positive cells and eosinophilic granule 2-positive eosinophils among smokers, indicating heightened neutrophil and eosinophil activity. Smokers showed elevated neutrophil counts in hematological analysis, while lymphocyte counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio remained unchanged. Oxidative stress parameters, endothelin-1 levels, inflammatory biomarkers, and hematological indices are all significantly influenced by heavy smoking, reflecting systemic inflammation and vascular dysfunction. Public health initiatives are urgently required to address the harmful health consequences of smoking, as indicated by noteworthy changes in inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers. The study offers important information on the physical effects of long-term heavy smoking, enhancing our understanding of the health hazards associated with smoking.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03075-8SmokingEndothelin-1Inflammatory biomarkersHematological indicesAnd vascular dysfunction
spellingShingle Zhikal Omar Khudhur
Shukur Wasman Smail
Harem Khdir Awla
Gasheen Bakhtiyar Ahmed
Yara Omar Khdhir
Kawa Amin
Christer Janson
The effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, vascular dysfunction, and hematological indices
Scientific Reports
Smoking
Endothelin-1
Inflammatory biomarkers
Hematological indices
And vascular dysfunction
title The effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, vascular dysfunction, and hematological indices
title_full The effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, vascular dysfunction, and hematological indices
title_fullStr The effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, vascular dysfunction, and hematological indices
title_full_unstemmed The effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, vascular dysfunction, and hematological indices
title_short The effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, vascular dysfunction, and hematological indices
title_sort effects of heavy smoking on oxidative stress inflammatory biomarkers vascular dysfunction and hematological indices
topic Smoking
Endothelin-1
Inflammatory biomarkers
Hematological indices
And vascular dysfunction
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03075-8
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