International Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Research 2023;10(2):171–175 Content available at: https://www.ipinnovative.com/open-access-journals International Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Research Journal homepage: https://www.ijcbr.in/ Original Research Article Evaluation of c-reactive protein level, antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase enzyme activities among snuff users Maryam Saeed Otuh 1, *, Bawa Yusuf Muhammad 1 , Abdulmalik Abdullahi 2 , Abdulkadir Hassan Lawal 1 1 Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa, Nigeria 2 North Middlesex University Hospital, London, United Kingdom ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 02-06-2023 Accepted 15-06-2023 Available online 14-07-2023 Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase Neurodegeneration Nicotine Snuff Tobacco ABSTRACT The use of snuff in Nigeria especially in the North has increased alarmingly. It is no longer considered a health risk nor is it seen as morally questionable. This research was designed to investigate the effect of snuff on antioxidant activities and cognitive function on human participants. A total of 200 volunteers were divided into 4 groups based on their periods of exposure to snuff; the Control. Group 1 (1-3 years), Group 2 (3-5 years) and Group 3 (5 years and above). All these groups consist of 50 participants each. The groups were all tested for BP and Glucose levels using standard procedure before and after they were administered snuff. Blood samples were then collected. Assessments of SOD, GPx, CAT, MDA, AChE and C-reactive protein were carried out using standard methods. The result revealed a significant decrease in SOD, GPx and CAT activities and a decrease in MDA level among snuff users compared to the control. An increase in AChE activity and in C-reactive protein level were also recorded. These findings suggest that nicotine in snuff may induce oxidative stress and inflammation, and rapid degradation of acetylcholine. This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. For reprints contact: reprint@ipinnovative.com 1. Introduction Snuff which is also sometimes called smokeless tobacco is widely consumed in many parts of Africa (Muhammad et al., 2021). 1 It is mostly made of ground tobacco that is consumed by sniffing. Most of the smokeless tobacco is consumed in countries like Pakistan, Iran and many parts of Africa (Warigon, 2019). 2 In Nigeria alone, it is believed that over 16,000 people are affected and whose lives have been irrevocably damaged due to excessive consumption of snuff (Warigon, 2019). 2 Consumption of snuff has many effects on the body. Although the smokeless nature of snuff reduces the risk of direct exposure to the lungs, there are other dangerous side effects caused by the intake of snuff some of which include nicotine exposure and the effects of * Corresponding author. E-mail address: maryamotuh707@gmail.com (M. S. Otuh). tobacco-specific nitrosamines on the body (Muhammad et al., 2021). 1 Snuff is grounded, cut or powdered tobacco that is consumed orally or via the nasal cavity/inhalation. This product, although may not contain smoke, contains nicotine just like regular tobacco. Snuff consumers believe it is a healthy alternative to regular tobacco because they believe that the absence of smoke makes it safer (Thomson et al., 2014). 3 Believing that they are not exposed to the toxic combustion from smoke that usually endangers and could potentially damage the lungs, snuff users consume snuff with no knowledge of how damaging it can be as well (Thomson et al., 2014). 3 The presence of nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamines makes snuff as dangerous as many other nicotine-containing products (Thomson et al., 2014). 3 https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijcbr.2023.029 2394-6369/© 2023 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved. 171