Lectin-Like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 Plays an Important Role in Vascular Inflammation in Current Smokers

Aim: Smoking induces vascular inflammation and increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Lectinlike oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) is a scavenger receptor that is induced by oxidative stress and is associated with atherosclerotic plaque formation and destabilization. LOX-1 interacts with C-reactive protein (CRP) and plays an important role in inflammatory diseases. We therefore hypothesized that LOX-1 may be involved in the onset of smoking-induced vascular inflammation. Methods: We measured the soluble LOX-1 (sLOX-1) levels in sera obtained from 207 current smokers. Results: The serum sLOX-1 levels positively correlated with various smoking variables, such as the number of cigarettes smoked per day (r= 0.150, p