ABSTRACT Smoking is an important preventable cause of mortality worldwide and has been implicated as a significant risk factor for the establishment and progression of several diseases. It has been argued that the increased production of reactive oxygen species associated with smoking may exceed the capacity of the oxidant defense system, resulting in oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between cigarette smoking and red cell destruction due to oxidative damage. Hundred (100) subjects were randomly chosen from a population of males (22 -38 years) within the Osogbo, Osun State metropolis. Blood samples were collected and drawn into an anticoagulated bottle with the aid of a 5ml sterile disposable syringe from one of the prominent veins of the cubital fossa of each of the subjects and used immediately for analysis. To understand the status of oxidative damage, we measured the level of lipid peroxidation using the malondialdehyde (MDA) method, activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the plasma of both smokers and non smokers were also investigated. To establish a possible relationship between cigarette smoking and red blood cell destruction, the reticulocyte counts, haematocrit and total bilirubin levels of smokers and nonsmokers was examined. MDA levels were significantly higher in the plasma of smokers. Activities of GPx and the level of GSH where markedly decreased in smokers when compared with the control group. There was also a significant increase in the total bilirubin levels and the reticulocyte count values of smokers when compared with those of the non smokers. Haematocrit values were slightly increased in smokers when compared with control. The present study thus concluded that an increased oxidative burden decreases the function of the antioxidant systems which can in a long run ultimately lead to red blood cell haemolysis
