Implications for comorbidities, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and inflammation in current smokers

Abstract

• Smokers presented higher prevalence of major depressive disorder and alcohol problems. • Smokers showed lower levels of leptin, higher levels of HDL-c and higher castelli indexes. • Maternal smoking during pregnancy was significantly more frequent among smokers. • Heavy smokers had higher levels of sTNFR1 than light-smokers. • Smokers showed higher levels of TNF-alfa and its receptors (sTNFR1 and 2) than non-smokers. Evaluate comorbidities, childhood abuse, and inflammation in current heavy-smokers compared to light-smokers and never-smokers. Current-Smokers ( n = 129) and never-smokers ( n = 85) were screened for the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, and assessed for nicotine dependence and childhood trauma. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and its receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2), leptin, lipid hydroperoxide, and lipid profile biomarkers were measured after overnight fasting. Current-smokers presented higher prevalence of major depressive disorder (PR = 1.79, CI 95% [1.36–2.37], p <0.001), alcohol problems (PR = 1.31, CI 95% [1.05–1.32], p <0.001), cancer disease (PR = 1.57, CI 95% [1.06–2.47], p <0.001), and maternal smoking during pregnancy (PR = 1.48, CI 95% [1.14–1.91], p <0.001) in comparison with never-smokers. Current-smokers showed significantly lower levels of leptin ( p <0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ( p <0.001), higher Castelli risk indexes I and II ( ps <0.001), and lipid hydroperoxide levels ( p <0.001) than never-smokers. Among current-smokers, heavy-smokers also presented higher levels of sTNFR1 than light-smokers ( p = 0.04). This is an exploratory cross-sectional study which did not allow us to delineate associations or causality of the events. The group of never-smokers presented significantly more years of education than current-smokers. The age of our sample ranged from 18 to 65 years-old, which do not allow the generalization to older or younger population. Finally, maternal smoking was collected retrospectively based on participants’ reports. Our study suggests an opportunity to identify current-smokers who had co-occurring clinical and psychiatric comorbidities and childhood trauma, and to offer them the opportunity of personalized treatments.