Smoking, von Willebrand factor and ADAMTS-13 in healthy males

Abstract

While von Willebrand factor (vWF) has been reported to be elevated in smokers, there are no reports on the effects of smoking on its cleaving protease ADAMTS-13, particularly in subjects of Arab ethnicity. This study was conducted to determine the effects of smoking on vWF and ADAMTS-13 antigen and activity levels in Arab males. Venous blood samples from 80 smoking (at rest) and 80 non-smoking healthy males were collected after asking subjects to fast and refrain from smoking for 8 hours. Similar sampling was done for 40 smokers (acute smokers), who were asked to smoke one cigarette immediately before blood collection. Plasma was used to measure ADAMTS-13 antigen and activity levels, as well as vWF antigen and collagen binding activity levels using commercial ELISA kits. Compared to non-smokers, ADAMTS-13 and vWF activities were significantly lower in smokers at rest (p < 0.05). Acute smokers had significantly higher levels of vWF activity and ADAMTS-13 antigen and activity levels (p < 0.01), compared to smokers at rest. Our results suggest that high vWF activity is accompanied by an increase in ADAMTS-13 activity as a natural physiological mechanism to degrade the elevated vWF molecules. If not followed by a subsequent smoke, the activities of both proteins subside. It is possible that the repeated increase in vWF and constant degradation by ADAMTS-13 results in lower overall levels of both proteins in smokers (at rest) compared to nonsmokers who do not experience a similar (repeated) injury to the endothelium.

Genetic variants in ADAMTS13 as well as smoking are major determinants of plasma ADAMTS13 levels

“…This finding is consistent with a previous study in Arab males that observed lower ADAMTS13 antigen levels in smokers. 36 The effect of smoking on ADAMTS13 levels was independent of the genetic effects of significant signals at the ADAMTS13 locus. To date the correlation between ADAMTS13 and smoking has not been examined except in extreme deficiencies of ADAMTS13, such as those observed in patients with acute acquired or congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.…”

Association between plasma ADAMTS-7 levels and severity of disease in patients with stable obstructive coronary artery disease

“…However, it has been shown that another number of ADAMTS family called ADAMTS-13, whose activity was significantly lower in smokers compared to nonsmokers in healthy subjects. [21] Hyperlipidemia caused by high-fat diet in mice tend to have lower ADAMTS-13 activity. [22] To our surprise, we did not detect significant correlation between plasma lipid levels and ADAMTS-7, although hyperlipidemia history was significantly correlated with ADAMTS-7.…”

Evaluation of von Willebrand factor in COPD patients

“…( 8 ) One study demonstrated that vWF activity is increased in smokers. ( 18 ) One group of authors reported that vWF levels are higher in COPD patients than in healthy subjects; however, smokers without obstruction were not included in that analysis. ( 19 ) Another study demonstrated that serum vWF levels increase in COPD patients during exacerbations.…”

“…( 8 ) Um estudo demonstrou que a atividade do FvW encontra-se aumentada em fumantes. ( 18 ) Com relação a pacientes com DPOC, um grupo de autores reportou que o FvW está elevado nesses pacientes quando comparados a indivíduos saudáveis; no entanto, pacientes tabagistas sem obstrução não foram incluídos naquela análise. ( 19 ) Em outro estudo, foi demonstrado que os níveis séricos do FvW aumentam em pacientes com DPOC com exacerbação.…”