Changes in and the Relationships between Alpha‑Klotho, Oxidative Stress, and Systemic Inflammation in Cigarette Smokers

Abstract

Background: Although smoking is known to accelerate aging, the mechanisms by which this occurs have not been fully clarified.  Serum‑soluble α‑Klotho (sαKl), antiaging, anti‑inflammatory, and developing resistance to oxidative stress properties are known. 

Aim:  This study aimed to determine the relationship between cigarette smoking, sαKl (antiaging hormone), inflammation, and oxidative stress.  

Materials and Methods: Participants included in the study were divided into smoking and nonsmoking groups. sαKl,  high‑sensitivity C‑reactive protein (hsCRP), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were  assessed and compared in the study participants. 

Results: There were one hundred and forty‑six study participants comprising 47  (32.2%) females and 99 (67.8%) males. There were 79 (54.1%) in the nonsmoking group and 67 (45.9%) in the smoking group. A significant  difference was found between the groups in respect of TAS (P < 0.001), OSI (P = 0.017), sαKl (P = 0.013), and hsCRP (P = 0.024)  values. A significant negative correlation was found between the sαKl values of the smoking group and the years of smoking (r = ‑0.271, P  = 0.038) and pack‑years (r = ‑0.299, P = 0.021). Among the smoking group, a lower median sαKl value of <3.84 pg/ml was significantly associated with years of smoking (P = 0.028) and pack‑years (P = 0.012). 

Conclusions: This study found that sαKl, OSI, and hsCRP were  elevated in those who smoke cigarette. Large prospective studies are needed to further elucidate this area of research.