EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANTS ENZYMES AND AUTOPHAGY GENES IN THE BLOOD OF IRAQI SMOKER VOLUNTEERS

OBJECTIVE: The aim: In this study, we investigated the expression level of LC3A, LC3B, Beclin1, and ATG5 in the blood of smokers as well as non-smokers volunteers. On the other hand, total antioxidant status (TAS), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the same individuals were measured. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: About 5 ml of blood was collected from 55 smokers (workers in a coffee shop) and 24 non-smokers volunteers. The blood was divided into two parts: 2.5 ml collected in a K2-EDTA tube that was used for RNA extraction to estimate the autophagic genes including LC3A, LC3B, Beclin1, and ATG5 by using of qRT-PCR and for hematological studies. The other part - was centrifuged to obtain the serum samples to measure TAS, CAT, and SOD by spectrophotometrical method. RESULTS: Results: The fold expression of autophagy(definition) genes was significantly increased in the blood of smokers as compared to non-smokers' individuals at (p ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, TAS, CAT, and SOD were significantly increased in smokers as compared with non-smokers individuals at (p ≤ 0.05). The hematological study revealed increased hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit in the smoker's blood as compared to nonsmokers' individuals. No significant variation was found in other hematological parameters in the smoker's individual as compared to non-smokers at (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Our results indicate that smoke exposure may induce autophagy genes through increased antioxidant status and antioxidant enzymes, and the better way to be healthy is to quitting smoking.