In addition, we also investigated the levels of the nicotine metabolite cotinine (as a possible influence of cigarette smoking on PON1 activity and concentrations) (James et al. 2000; Nishio and Watanabe 1997) and the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker for increased risk of coronary heart disease (reviewed by Casas et al. 2008). This evidence concerns the gene CRP and coronary artery disorder.