Gender-specific differences in plasma ferritin in adolescents smoking cigarettes versus waterpipe smoking: the Irbid-TRY Project

Abstract

IntroductionFerritin has been implicated in body physiology and pathology. Smoking cigarettes (Cg) alters ferritin metabolism. Waterpipe (Wp) smoking has recently reemerged as a global epidemic and is linked to the most devas�tating diseases. However, the effect of smoking Wp on ferritin is not known. Therefore, the current study compared plasma ferritin in adolescents smok�ing Cg, Wp, both (CgWp) versus never smoked.Material and methodsSelf-reported smoking status and plasma ferritin lev�els were obtained from 849 boys (n = 470) and girls (n = 379) in the 7th–10th grade (age range = 13–17 years).ResultsThe ANCOVA revealed a main effect for gender (p < 0.000) and smoking status (p < 0.02) without an interaction effect (p > 0.9). Post-hoc analysis showed greater plasma ferritin in the adolescents smoking Wp (p < 0.03) and CgWp (p < 0.004) versus never smoked. Gender-stratified ANCOVA showed a main effect for smoking status in the boys (p < 0.02) and girls (p < 0.03). Additional comparisons among the boys showed greater plasma ferritin in the Wp (p < 0.006) and CgWp (p < 0.008) smoking groups versus never smoking, without differences (p > 0.5) between Wp and CgWp smoking. Another subgroup comparison showed greater plasma ferritin in the girls smoking Cg (p < 0.02) and CgWp (p < 0.02) versus never smoking, without a difference (p > 0.3) between Cg and CgWp smoking.ConclusionsThe results indicate that ferritin is elevated in adolescent smokers, particularly the boys smoking Wp and CgWp and in the girls smoking Cg and CgWp.

Sex difference in the association between blood alcohol concentration and serum ferritin

“…One study found high serum ferritin levels in adolescent boys (n = 470) and girls (n = 379) with different types of smoking, compared to their non-smoker counterparts. In addition, they detected lower serum ferritin values among female smokers, compared to male smokers (104). The sex difference in serum ferritin reported in nicotine users could be explained in the light of the findings presented by Benowitz et al They reported higher clearance and faster metabolism of nicotine in pre-menopausal women compared to men, particularly women on combined and estrogen-only contraceptives, implying a role for sex hormones in nicotine metabolism (105).…”

Presence of cell-free fetal circRNA in maternal plasma

“…With informed consent, their peripheral blood was collected in the third trimester (gestational week: 34.6 ±4.0) and after delivery using EDTA anticoagulant tubes. Then, the blood samples were centrifuged twice at 3000 rpm at 4°C to obtain plasma and stored at –80°C until testing [ 5 ]. Based on the pregnancy outcome, we finally selected samples from seven pregnant women carrying male fetuses for this study.…”

Effects of Smoking on Serum Ferritin levels in adult population living in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

“…Freely floating iron can cause toxic effects, so ferritin synthesis is induced to store iron safely. 6 Cigarette smoking has been associated with alterations in iron balance, not only in the lungs but also in other parts of the body. Specifically, there have been reports of increased iron levels in alveolar macrophages and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.…”