An implication of Klotho-related molecules in different smoking-related health outcomes between men and women

Men and women react differently to some disease states, and women are reported to be more sensitive than men to the toxic effects of smoking. We examined the serum concentration of Klotho-related molecules, α-Klotho (αKl) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21, and the influence of smoking on these molecules in both sexes.

Subjects included 90 men and 140 women in good health who underwent a health examination.

Among male subjects, serum concentrations of FGF-21, soluble sαKl, and inflammation-related cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 were significantly higher in smokers than in never-smokers. In females, serum concentrations of FGF-21 and IL-6 were significantly higher in smokers than in never-smokers; however, sαKl concentrations were slightly lower in smokers than in never-smokers. Serum concentrations of sαKl were correlated with smoking status and IL-6 only in male subjects, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect of sαKl only in men. Serum concentrations of FGF-21 were correlated with the concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HbA1c, which are important factors of metabolic disorders in females, suggesting that metabolic disorders in female smokers may be more serious than that in male smokers.

Klotho-related molecules showed a differential association and response to smoking between men and women.