Decreased deformability of erythrocytes from smokers.
The deformability of erythrocytes from smoking and non-smoking human subjects was examined by filtration through 3-mu pores and capillary viscometry of cell suspensions. In both cases, small but significant differences were found between the two groups that are consistent with a reduction in the surface area-to-volume ratio and/or a diminished membrane flexibility in erythrocyte from smokers. Additional evidence suggests that these findings represent a chronic rather than an acute effect of smoking on erythrocyte deformability.
D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004913:Erythrocytes, Abnormal; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012907:Smoking