Figure 3. Pathway analysis comparing the metabolic pathways between current cigarette smokers and never smokers. We conducted a pathway network analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (Qiagen NV, Venlo, Netherlands; www.qiagen.com/ingenuity) to compare metabolic pathways between current cigarette smokers and never smokers. In the figure, the metabolites shown in red and green represent higher and lower abundance levels in current cigarette smokers, respectively. Similarly, the proteins in orange and blue indicate higher and lower estimated abundance levels in current cigarette smokers. This analysis revealed a connection between smoking and the glutamate pathway, which has the potential to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in blood vessels.
