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Abstract
Background: Smoking-induced
endothelial damage may increase plasma
triglycerides.
Methods:
Patients with plasma triglycerides values
lower than 60 mg/dL were collected into
the first, lower than 100 mg/dL into the
second, lower than 150 mg/dL into the
third, lower than 200 mg/dL into the fourth,
and 200 mg/dL and higher into the fifth
groups.
Results:
The study included 669 cases (393 females),
totally. Mean age increased just up to
triglycerides value of 200 mg/dL, and
there was an increase of triglycerides
about 8.1 mg/dL for each year of aging
up to this value. Male ratio increased
parallel to the increased triglycerides,
gradually (32.3% versus 50.0%, p<0.001).
Body mass index (BMI) increased just up
to plasma triglycerides of 150 mg/dL.
Fasting plasma glucose, hypertension,
diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease increased parallel to
the increased triglycerides, gradually.
Whereas low density lipoproteins and white
coat hypertension increased just up to
plasma triglycerides of 200 mg/dL. Prevalence
of smoking increased parallel to the increased
triglycerides, gradually (16.9% versus
39.1%, p<0.001). Interestingly, the
most significant increase of smoking was
seen after the triglycerides value of
200 mg/dL, and there was no significant
effect of aging or excess weight on these
patients.
Conclusions:
Plasma triglycerides may actually be some
acute phase reactants indicating disseminated
endothelial damage, inflammation, fibrosis,
and eventual atherosclerosis all over
the body. There may be some significant
relationships between the plasma triglycerides
and aging, BMI, and smoking, but smoking
may be particularly important for plasma
triglycerides values of 200 mg/dL and
greater.
Key words:
Smoking, triglycerides, acute phase reactant,
chronic endothelial damage, accelerated
atherosclerosis
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