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