Haptoglobin 2-2 phenotype is associated with decreased ferroxidase activity in smokers.

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoking and the inheritance of Hp 2-2 phenotype have been separately linked to cardiovascular disease. In this study, the combined effects of smoking and the presence of Hp 2-2 type on predisposition to cardiovascular disease were investigated.

METHODS

Fasting blood specimens were collected from 489 Jordanian males (228 smokers and 261 nonsmokers). Haptoglobin phenotype was determined by electrophoresis, and lipid profile and ferroxidase activity were determined by spectrophotometric methods.

RESULTS

The results show that, irrespective of Hp type, total- and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in smokers compared with nonsmokers, while levels of HDL-cholesterol and ferroxidase activity were lower in smokers. There was no significant difference between the three Hp types in nonsmokers regarding the lipid profile and ferroxidase activity. In the smokers group, however, serum ferroxidase activity was significantly lower in individuals with Hp 2-2 type compared with that in Hp 1-1 and Hp 2-1 smoker individuals. Smokers with the Hp 2-2 type have significantly higher levels of total- and LDL-cholesterol and lower HDL-cholesterol levels compared with that in nonsmokers expressing the same Hp type.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that smokers with Hp 2-2 phenotype have a decreased antioxidant capacity suggesting that smoking coupled with the inheritance of an Hp-2-2 type predispose to more oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease.