EVALUATION OF SERUM SCUBE-1 LEVELS AND AFFECTING FACTORS IN SMOKERS

Abstract

Aim: Serum signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein-1 (SCUBE-1), an indicator of platelet activation, is a biochemical marker used to evaluate the risk for cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the alteration of plasma levels of SCUBE-1 in smokers compared to healthy controls and determine the affecting factors. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was designed as an experimental, single-centered study with a control group. The study included smokers aged 18-65 years who were admitted to the Smoking Cessation Clinic of a tertiary hospital and a control group consisting of healthy volunteers admitted to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic and had never smoked. Sociodemographic data of all participants and smoking histories and addiction levels of smokers were questioned. Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels were measured. Plasma SCUBE-1 levels were studied and compared from samples obtained from venous blood. Results: A total of 82 individuals, consisting of the "smoker" patient group (n=44) and the "non-smoker" control group (n=38), were included in the study. While the mean SCUBE-1 value was 1.28±0.70 ng/ml in smokers, it was 1.54±1.09 ng/ml in non-smokers. There was no statistical difference between smokers and non-smokers in terms of SCUBE-1 (p=0.500). There was no statistically significant correlation between SCUBE-1 levels and exhaled CO level, smoking characteristics and addiction levels in smokers. Conclusion: Our study showed that the plasma SCUBE-1 value in smokers did not increase at statistically significant levels compared to the control group. Therefore, it was concluded that it would not be useful in evaluating the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the susceptibility to thrombosis.