Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Groups of Established Smokers after a Decade of Smoking

Abstract

To investigate tools for evaluation of smoking-associated disease initiation and progression, we examined basic clinical parameters and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk, in a group of healthy volunteers with an average 10-year smoking history. A small cross-sectional study of never-smokers, moderate smokers and smokers was performed. Caucasians were recruited to match pre-defined cigarette tar yields and cigarettes smoked per day. For haematological parameters, significant differences between never-smokers and all female smokers combined were seen for haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, total leucocyte count, neutrophil count and lymphocyte count. For all male smokers combined, only total leucocyte count was statistically different. Analysis of exhaled CO and other smoke exposure biomarker (nicotine and its metabolites) data showed a statistically significant increase in all groups of smokers with a trend related to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Thromboxane urinary metabolites 11-deydro-thromboxane B2 and 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B2 were statistically significantly elevated in smokers. Significant statistical differences between smokers with approximately 10 years of smoking history and non-smokers in white cells count, hemoglobin and thromboxane turnover were seen, although they did not reach levels associated with overt diseases. These data could provide insight into early biomarkers predictive of risk for coronary and vascular disease.

Effects of cigarette smoking on circulating leukocytes and plasma cytokines in monozygotic twins

“…To overcome some of these limitations, and to reduce possible data dispersion due to differences in genetic background and lifestyle, we investigated the effects of cigarette smoking on several immune parameters in healthy smoking-discordant twins: one a smoker and the other a non-smoker. The influence of smoke on leukocyte cell numbers and cell function has been demonstrated in several previous studies and our results are consistent with these findings [9,[32][33][34][35]. On the contrary, data concerning the influence of smoking on lymphocyte subpopulations are conflicting [35][36][37][38].…”

“…The influence of smoke on leukocyte cell numbers and cell function has been demonstrated in several previous studies and our results are consistent with these findings [9,[32][33][34][35]. On the contrary, data concerning the influence of smoking on lymphocyte subpopulations are conflicting [35][36][37][38]. This may be due to the age of the population recruited, smoking habits, healthy status, etc.…”

The Relationship Between Cigarette Smoking and Biomarkers of Exposure Across Two Study Centers in Europe

“…The detailed description of the subject recruitment and study design at both centers has been described previously [9,10]. Briefly, never smokers, former smokers and regular smokers of cigarettes from two categories were recruited based on screening questionnaire responses and spot salivary or urinary cotinine measurements and exhaled breath carbon monoxide measurements, according to pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.…”

“…We have previously described two separate studies conducted at geographically distinct sites across Europe: Leeds, UK [9] and Messina, Italy [10], in which the subjects were recruited according to similar criteria. Although there was a similarity between the recruitment criteria, there are distinct differences between the diets and lifestyles of these regions and the brands of cigarettes smoked were also different.…”

“…Although there was a similarity between the recruitment criteria, there are distinct differences between the diets and lifestyles of these regions and the brands of cigarettes smoked were also different. In the present study, these subjects were pooled and the original urinary biomarkers of exposure data from Leeds [9] and Messina [10] were re-examined with different statistical approaches. This larger subject pool allowed us to examine sub-groups in cigarettes per day (CPD) categories that are different from the original recruiting criteria and to establish whether data obtained from two separate European areas is suitable for combination, allowing for possible lifestyle and cigarette brand differences.…”