J. Barnouin et al., Vitamin and nutritional status in Cuban smokers and nonsmokers in the context of an emerging epidemic neuropathy, INT J VIT N, 70(3), 2000, pp. 126-138
A prospective survey was conducted in a random sample of smokers (SMO) and
non-smokers (NON) men living in Havana. The aim of the survey was to invest
igate metabolic and dietary parameters discriminating between SMO and NON v
olunteers, which could explain underlying mechanisms to the higher risk of
Epidemic Neuropathy (51 000 reported cases in Cuba from late 1991) previous
ly demonstrated in the Cuban smoker. Forty-three blood markers were determi
ned and dietary intakes evaluated during 4 seasonal periods. alpha-carotene
, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, total carotenoids and riboflavin blood
concentrations were lower in SMO vs. NON subjects. Activities of glutathio
ne reductase and butryrylcholinesterase were lower in the SMO group, as did
total protein levels. Copper and thiocyanates were higher in SMO subjects.
Most of the dietary parameters did not differ between the two groups of vo
lunteers. Low biologically available quantities of carotenoids and riboflav
in from low dietary intakes and depletion through smoking would be the main
precipitating factors of Epidemic Neuropathy. Protein depletion and copper
delivery via tobacco smoke, sunlight exposure, level of physical activity
and high consumption of cigarettes, in a context of low dietary supplies co
ncerning especially B vitamins, were probably aggravating factors through o
xidative stress and impairment of cyanide detoxification.