The effect of exposure to smoking on total antioxidant status and total oxidant status in breast milk

The aim of this study is to find out the effect of exposure to cigarette smoke on Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and Total Oxidant Status (TOS) in breast milk. Participants of the study involved mothers in their pregnancy and breast-feeding period with no health problems. Every participant responded to questions regarding the mother, baby, pregnancy, and smoking on a questionnaire form. Approximately 10 ml of breast milk was collected from each mother. Forty four samples were obtained from the group exposed to smoking and 44 samples were collected from the group not exposed to smoking, making 88 samples in total. Samples of breast milk were conserved at -20 0C until they were analyzed. TAS and TOS analyzes were carried out on the samples using Rel Assay brand commercial kits. Level of TAS was found to be significantly lower in the group exposed to smoking as compared to the group not exposed to smoking (p<0.05), level of TOS was higher but insignificant in the group exposed to smoking (p>0.05). Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) was found to be significantly higher exposed to smoking (p<0.05). A positive significant relationship was found between doing physical exercise and TAS in the group exposed to smoking (p<0.05). A negative significant relationship was found between doing physical exercise and OSI in the group exposed to smoking (p<0.05). In the group exposed to smoking, there was a significant negative relationship between the age of mother and the level of TAS (p<0.05). As a result exposure to smoking is associated with lower levels of TAS and higher levels of OSI in breast milk.