Smoking and Kidney Functions

There exist various harmful substances in cigarette and in its smoke. Nicotine, taken as a result of active and second hand smoking, turns into “cotinine” with metabolite. Cigarette is known to have toxic effects on peripherical nervous system, cardiovasvcular system and endocrin system. Besides, it causes lung, larynx, kidney and urinary bladder and breast cancer. Some mechanisms of cigarette have been reported to cause renal damage. It increases blood pressure leading to the activation of acute sympatethic system. It causes the formation of oxidative stress. It brings about renal dysfunction affecting the structure and functions of kidney. It may cause renal dysfunction both in healthy individuals and in patients with hypertension and diabetes. As a result of this review, the active and passive smoking are discussed in a negative impact on renal function.