EFFECT OF TOBACCO CONSUMPTION ON BONE-MINERAL DENSITY IN HEALTHY-YOUNG MALES

Smoking is related to a decreased bone mass and increased risk of oste oporotic fractures, Nevertheless. the effect of smoking in males is po orly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the repercuss ion of smoking on bone mass in otherwise healthy male smokers and its relationship with markers of mineral metabolism and hormone profile. W e measured bone mineral density (BMD) in 57 healthy males (26 nonsmoke rs, 31 smokers: aged 20-45 years) by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, H ologic QDR(100)) in the lumbar spine and proximal femur. In a subset w e measured biochemical markers of bone metabolism and hormonal profile , We found significant differences in BMD between heavy smokers (more than 20 cigarettes/day) and nonsmokers in all skeletal sites, Serum le vels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (S-DHEAS) were lower in smokers and correlated with femoral BMD measurements, No significant differen ces in bone turnover markers were found, Our findings show that smokin g by healthy young males is associated with decreased bone mass.