Positive and negative acute phase reactants in smokers

Background: We tried to understand whether or not there are some positive and negative acute phase reactants (APR) indicating the possible inflammatory effects of smoking on vascular endothelium. Method: Consecutive daily smokers at least with a history of one pack-year and age and sex-matched non-smokers were taken into the study. Cases with regular alcohol consumption (one drink a day) and patients with inflammatory, infectious, or devastating disorders, or heart failure were excluded. Results: The study included 247 smokers (173 males) and 167 non-smokers. Interestingly, the mean age of the smokers was 46.2 years, and 70.0% of them were males. Although the mean body weight, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and hematocrit values were similar in both groups, plasma triglycerides (163.1 versus 151.3 mg/dL, p<0.05), low density lipoproteins (LDL) (123.8 versus 117.5 mg/dL, p<0.05), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (10.6 versus 9.3 mm/h, p<0.05), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (2.3 versus 2.0 mg/L, p<0.05) values were all higher in the smokers, significantly. On the other hand, high density lipoproteins (HDL) (40.9 versus 44.0 mg/dL, p<0.05) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (102.3 versus 111.6 mg/dL, p= 0.007) values and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (8.9% versus 14.3%, p<0.05) were all lower in the smokers, significantly. Conclusion: Smoking may cause a low-grade systemic inflammation on vascular endothelium terminating with an accelerated atherosclerotic process-induced end-organ insufficiencies all over the body. Plasma triglycerides, LDL, ESR, and CRP may be positive whereas HDL and FPG may be negative APR indicating such inflammatory effects in the body. Key words: Smoking, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, high density lipoproteins, fasting plasma glucose