Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives : Studies have indicated that serum level of tumor markers is influenced by several factors. This study was carried out aimed at evaluating the effects of smoke of waterpipe and immobilization stress and on the serum level of CEA in female rats.   Methods: In this study, 20 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of 5 each: 1- control group; 2 waterpipe smoke receiving group; 3- under immobilization; 4- waterpipe smoke receiving and immobilized. Waterpipe smoke was given 10 times a day during 10-min periods with 5-min resting time, and chronic immobilization was performed for 2 periods of 2 h daily with 2 h resting time between the periods, and. After 7 weeks, blood samples were collected using cardiac puncture technique, and then, serum level of CEA was measured by radioimmunoassay technique. The data were compared between groups by analysis of variance at p=0.001 significance level.   Results: The serum level of CEA significantly increased in waterpipe smoking and also immobilized rats as well as rats under both intervention compared to the control group (p<0.001). Also, there was a significant difference in serum CEA level between waterpipe smoking and immobilized rats (p<0.001). On the other hand, there was significant difference in CEA level in rats under both interventions and the two latter groups (p<0.001).   Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that waterpipe smoking and immobilization stress can cause a sharp increase in the serum level of CEA.