Authors : I P. Ezeugwunne, I P. Ezeugwunne, J E. Okwara, J E. Okwara, S Onogwu, S Onogwu, E C. Ogbodo, E C. Ogbodo
DOI : 10.18231/j.pjms.2019.005
Volume : 9
Issue : 1
Year : 2019
Page No : 15-18
Smoking has been known to cause a wide range of deleterious effects on human health but the impact of cannabis use on the antioxidant vitamins are not well known. In this study, we evaluated the effect of cannabis smoking on antioxidant vitamin C and E levels of male cannabis smokers in Nnewi, Nigeria. A total of hundred (100) male participants aged between 18 and 45 years (50 cannabis smokers and 50 non-smokers) were recruited for the present study. Also, the anthropometric indices (height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were measured while other relevant data such the feeding habit, life style and age of the subjects were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Afterwards, 5 ml of venous blood sample was collected from each participant into plain containers and used for laboratory analysis by using standard methods. There was a significant decrease in the vitamin C and E levels in cannabis smokers than in non-smokers (p=0.000), whereas, the weight and BMI of both groups were similar (p>0.05). This study has shown that cannabis smoking depletes the antioxidant vitamins C and E status in users. Thus, antioxidant supplementation may be necessary in the diet of cannabis smokers as a way of boosting their antioxidant status.
Keywords: Smoking, Cannabis sativus, Marijuana, Oxidative stress, Antioxidant, Vitamin C, Vitamin E.