Association between monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and blood pressure in smokers:

ObjectiveThe expression level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is increased in atherosclerotic regions, inducing monocyte migration to the blood vessel wall. Although the serum MCP-1 concentration is higher in patients with than without cardiovascular disease, the precise correlations between the serum MCP-1 concentration and factors associated with smoking and atherosclerosis are unknown.MethodsThe serum MCP-1 concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 207 consecutive smokers who visited our smoking cessation clinic.ResultsSex-adjusted analysis of smokers revealed that the MCP-1 concentration was positively correlated with age (β = 0.311), smoking duration (β = 0.342), systolic blood pressure (β = 0.225), and diastolic blood pressure (β = 0.137) but not with the body mass index. Multivariate regression analysis showed that smoking duration and systolic blood pressure were independent determinants of the MCP-1 concentration.ConclusionsThe MCP-1 concentration was ...