The hematologic effects of cigarette smoking in healthy men volunteers

Substances existed in tobacco smoke including carcinogens, alkaloids (mainly nicotine), irritants of the respiratory tract and carbon monoxide are known responsible for a wide range of diseases and disorders. The current study was designed to investigate the hematologic effects of smoking. This study is an observational, cross-sectional investigation in which the peripheral blood erythrocytic and leukocytic status as well as platelet count were studied in 51 healthy male cigarette-smoker (mean age: 31±5 yrs.) and in 35 male non-smoker (mean age: 28±2 yrs.) volunteers. Non of the volunteers in both groups had a history of medication 3 months prior to blood sampling. Smokers had at least a 5-year history of smoking and smoked 10-20 cigarettes per day. The number of peripheral blood leukocytes (WBC), erythrocytes (RBC) and thrombocytes (Plts) were counted in smoker and non-smoker groups. Also, hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct) and red blood cell indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC) were determined. Statistical analyses were carried out using the unpaired student t test. In the smoker group, the amounts of WBC, RBC and Hgb were significantly higher compared to those of the non-smoker group (p