α1-Antitrypsin low-density-lipoprotein serves as a marker of smoking-specific oxidative stress.
OBJECTIVE
While smoking cessation (SC) leads to a reduction of cardiovascular events, atherogenic biomarkers specifically connected with cigarette smoking and SC are unknown. Circulating levels of oxidatively modified low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) are associated with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, two novel, oxidatively modified LDL markers, serum amyloid A-LDL (SAA-LDL) and α1-antitrypsin-LDL (AT-LDL), were identified; however, the significance of SAA-LDL and AT-LDL as cardiovascular risk markers is unknown.


METHODS
We carried out a cross-sectional study involving 243 patients, and determined serum levels of SAA-LDL and AT-LDL.


RESULTS
Both serum levels of SAA-LDL and AT-LDL were significantly increased in current compared to non-current smokers. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the current smoking status and duration of smoking were strong independent determinants of the AT-LDL level. In contrast, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was the strongest determinant of the SAA-LDL level. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the current smoking status was most closely associated with the AT-LDL level. Successful SC employing a 12-week program significantly increased the body mass index and serum levels of obesity-related markers. Notably, successful SC significantly decreased levels of AT-LDL, but not those of SAA-LDL.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study provides the first evidence for the distinct characteristics of two novel, oxidatively modified LDL markers, SAA-LDL and AT-LDL. In contrast to SAA-LDL, an inflammatory marker, AT-LDL serves as a marker of smoking-specific oxidative stress. These findings warrant further investigations to clarify if AT-LDL provides a key link between smoking and cardiovascular diseases.
Division of Translational Research, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. hwada@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Hiromichi
H
Wada
Shuichi
S
Ura
Noriko
N
Satoh-Asahara
Shuji
S
Kitaoka
Shinichi
S
Mashiba
Masaharu
M
Akao
Mitsuru
M
Abe
Koh
K
Ono
Tatsuya
T
Morimoto
Masatoshi
M
Fujita
Akira
A
Shimatsu
Yuko
Y
Takahashi
Koji
K
Hasegawa
D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011379:Prognosis; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000097:blood*
D054392:Adipokines; D015415:Biomarkers; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein