Relationship between cigarette smoking and novel risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Raghu, B.; Venkatesan, P.

Journal of Biomedical Sciences; 2012; 1; 1-4.

Abstract: Background & Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the as­sociation between cigarette smoking and the alteration of plasma concentration of cardiovascular markers.

Methods: Twenty male cigarette smokers and 20 healthy age matched male non smokers were included in the study. Plasma levels of fasting cholesterol, triglyc­erides, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), C- reactive protein and homocysteine were estimated.

Results: Both serum total homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels were signifi­cantly increased in cigarette smokers than in non-smokers (p<0.001). Fasting serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and total cholesterol / HDL ratio were observed to be significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers (p<0.001). However, fasting HDL concentration was significantly decreased in smokers than non-smokers (p<0.001). In conclusion, our study identifies a strong, positive re­lationship between cigarette smoking and elevated levels of all three novel risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Interpretation & Conclusion: These findings suggest that inflammation and hyperhomocysteinemia may be important mechanisms by which smoking pro­motes atherosclerotic disease.

Keywords: Smoking; Homocysteine; Lipid profile; C-reactive protein

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