title: Monocyte CD40 expression in young healthy female smokers and/or oral contraceptives users without additional risk factors for atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atherosclerosis, as an inflammatory disease, is characterized by pathologically altered levels of cytokines. We investigated whether smoking and/or oral contraceptives (OCs) affect the CD40/CD40L plasma levels and expression in young females without other risk factors for atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control single-center design was used. Expression levels of CD40/CD40L were analyzed in healthy non-pregnant, pre-menopausal, non-smoking women who did not take OCs (n=49), women who currently smoke and take OCs (n=40), and women who are only smokers (n=40) or currently take OCs (n=42).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In OC users, there was a significant increase in CD40 mRNA expression in circulating monocytes as compared with smokers and control group. However, there were no significant differences in CD40 mRNA expression in monocytes between smokers and non-smokers. Interestingly, CD40 mRNA expression in women taking OCs and currently smoking was significantly decreased compared to only OC users (p<0.001). With regard to plasma CD40 levels there were significant differences between OC-users and control group. However, contrary to our expectations, there were no significant differences in expression levels of CD40L between four groups. In vitro experiments demonstrated enhanced CD40 mRNA and surface expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages stimulated with estrogens. Furthermore, nicotine pretreatment led to a suppression of estrogens stimulated CD40 induction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In young healthy females without additional risk factors for atherosclerosis, OCs, but not smoking, are associated with dramatic changes in CD40 gene and plasma levels. These findings may be providing an important link between OCs and enhancement of pro-inflammatory and atherothrombotic conditions in healthy women.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany. Electronic address: mariana.parahuleva@innere.med.uni-giessen.de.
authors.forename: Mariana S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Parahuleva
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Angiology, Wuppertal Research and Medical Center, Wuppertal, Germany.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burgazli
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Langanke
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dörr
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Behnoush
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Parviz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Angiology, Wuppertal Research and Medical Center, Wuppertal, Germany.
authors.forename: Meric
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mericliler
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Nikoleta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parahuleva
authors.affiliation: Innere Medizin I - Kardiologie, University Hospital of Marburg, Krankenhaus Bad Homburg, Bad Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hölschermann
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erdogan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D017697:Premenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral
keywords: CD 40; Cardiovascular disease; Cigarette smoking; Contraception; Monocytes