Serum folic acid levels and antipyrine clearance rates in smokers and non-smokers.

Serum folic acid (FA) levels and antipyrine clearance rates were determined in 15 healthy male subjects who had not been administered any drug and alcohol for a month preceding the study. Eight of the 15 subjects smoked cigarettes daily while the remaining seven did not. The serum FA levels were measured by Lactobacillus casei bioassay. The antipyrine clearance rates were estimated in plasma or saliva obtained after oral administration of antipyrine for evaluating the activity of hepatic microsomal oxidase. The serum FA levels in the smokers were significantly lower than those in the non-smokers and the antipyrine clearance rates were significantly higher in the smokers compared with the non-smokers. The increase of the antipyrine clearance rates in the smokers was supposed to be caused by an increase in the activity of hepatic microsomal oxidase since it has been established that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contained in cigarette smoke induce these enzymes. The association of the decrease in the serum FA levels and the increase of the antipyrine clearance rates was investigated.