The natural anticoagulant protein S is decreased in male smokers.
Protein S is a natural anticoagulant plasma protein; familial deficiency is associated with thrombotic complications. Since smoking carries an increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, we investigated the protein S system of men who smoke. In plasma, free protein S is functionally active and protein S bound to C4b binding protein is inactive. Male smokers (n = 24) have lower total protein S than nonsmokers (n = 24) (16.8 +/- 4.3 micrograms/ml versus 19.8 +/- 5.1 micrograms/ml, p less than 0.02). C4b binding protein levels are higher (p less than 0.05) in smokers (212 +/- 47 micrograms/ml versus 186 +/- 52 micrograms/ml). Free protein S is significantly lower in smokers (6.9 +/- 2.3 micrograms/ml versus 8.0 +/- 1.9 micrograms/ml, p = 0.02). These alterations in protein S may contribute to the thrombotic complications associated with smoking.
Scott
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BD
Cardiology Division, University of Iowa.
Esmon
C T
CT
Comp
P C
PC
D000328:Adult; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017293:Protein S; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D017293:Protein S