EFFECT OF LOW TO MODERATE LEVELS OF SMOKING AND ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION ON SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN CONCENTRATIONS

Aim-To determine the effect of low to moderate levels of smoking and a lcohol consumption on immunoglobulin concentrations. Methods-Serum sam ples from 1787 subjects with approximately equal numbers in each five year group from 15 to 64 years were obtained from a large random popul ation survey in Northern Ireland. Details were available on each subje ct concerning the number of units of alcohol consumed per week and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations were measured by laser nephelometry on all serum samples. Results-Low to moderate consumption of alcohol was associated with a decrease in IgG and IgM median concentrations in contrast to an increase in IgA me dian concentrations. The decrease in IgM and especially IgG median con centrations appeared to be related to the smoking habits of the subjec ts. Alcohol consumption alone was associated with increased IgA median concentrations whereas cigarette smoking alone was associated with re duced IgG median concentrations. Conclusion-Low levels of alcohol cons umption and cigarette smoking influence IgG, IgM, and IgA serum concen trations. This should be borne in mind when selecting subjects for use in research and clinical settings.