Smoking promotes pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway

Smoking has been known as a risk factor for aortic aneurysm. 5-Lipoxygenase is the key enzyme in leukotriene biosynthesis and catalyzes initial steps in the conversion of arachidonic acid to these biologically active lipid mediators, which are known to exert proinflammatory effects in vivo. Smoking can induce 5-tipoxygenase expression in colon neoplasm, and may activate the 5-tipoxygenase pathway also in aortic tissue. 5-Lipoxygenase has a rote in promoting the formation of aneurysms through potential plasma macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha and -2 chemokine-dependent inflammatory circuits involving both myeloid and endothelial cells. Therefore, smoking may promote pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.