Abstract
Introduction: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a reliable biomarker of inflammation. Plasma CRP increases dramatically after severe trauma, bacterial infection and inflammation. The hsCRP accurately and sensitively measures basal levels of CRP, including in the areas of increased risk of developing myocardial infarction. Tobacco smoking has also been indicated to influence pregnancy outcomes and infertility . Methods: We examined the associations between smoking, circulating hsCRP, and steroid hormone levels in healthy, non-pregnant women of reproductive age. Serum hsCRP concentrations were analyzed using immunoturbidimetry. Based on cotinine levels and self-questionnairres, the women were divided into three separate groups of smokers, non- smokers and passive smokers (secondhand exposure). Steroids and cotinine levels were measured by isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Results: A significant, positive correlation was observed between hsCRP and cotinine levels indicating an association between cigarette smoking and inflammation. However, no association was found between hsCRP and cotinine levels in both the non-smoker and passive smoker group. Also, hsCRP levels were significantly associated with increased BMI scores. Conclusions: Combined factors of increased smoke exposure and obesity were significantly correlated with increased hsCRP levels, suggesting that multiple conditions confer additive risk to an inflammatory state. To determine the role of inflammation in women's health, further studies are essential to determine the interacting relationship between hsCRP and sex hormone levels in women with disease.
Highlights
High sensitivity C-reactive protein is a reliable biomarker of inflammation
HsCRP levels were significantly associated with increased BMI scores
Combined factors of increased smoke exposure and obesity were significantly correlated with increased High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, suggesting that multiple conditions confer additive risk to an inflammatory state
Summary
High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a reliable biomarker of inflammation. Plasma CRP increases dramatically after severe trauma, bacterial infection and inflammation. The hsCRP accurately and sensitively measures basal levels of CRP, including in the areas of increased risk of developing myocardial infarction. It was demonstrated that cigarette tobacco smoke causes direct vascular injury, subsequently leading to an immunological response [1]. These immunological responses involve the release of potent cytokines that stimulate hepatic synthesis of acute phase reactants, proteins that are thought to be anti-infective, anti-proliferative, and pro-coagulative. In the mid-1990s, more sensitive methods for the measurement of CRP were introduced These methods, referred to as hs-CRP, can accurately measure basal levels of CRP throughout the currently accepted cardiovascular risk assessment range (0.20-10.0 mg/L). The hs-CRP assays were used to assess outcomes in patients with unstable angina and showed that hs-CRP values in the upper tertile (>3.0 mg/L) were associated with increased risk of developing myocardial infarction [1,2]
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