Serum glycated albumin levels are influenced by smoking status, independent of plasma glucose levels

Serum glycated albumin (GA) is the clinical markers reflecting recent plasma glucose levels. We have previously clarified that serum GA levels are low for obesity and chronic inflammation is involved in the obesity-associated decrease in GA levels through acceleration of albumin catabolism. The present study investigated whether smoking, which is a representative factor that increases CRP, affects serum GA levels. One hundred and three male subjects with normal glucose tolerance (70 nonsmokers, 33 smokers) were enrolled in this study. Smokers and nonsmokers displayed no significant differences in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test 2-h glucose and HbA_1C. CRP levels were significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (P < 0.05). Serum GA levels were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers (P < 0.05). Stepwise multivariate regression analysis identified FPG and age as positively associated, and BMI and smoking as negatively associated with serum GA levels. In conclusion, serum GA levels were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. Smoking was identified as a significant negative explanatory variable for serum GA levels. These findings suggest that the inflammation-induced acceleration of albumin metabolism may be involved in the mechanism by which smoking is associated with serum GA levels.