Cigarette smoking increases white blood cell aggregation in whole blood.
We studied the effect of chronic cigarette smoking on white blood cell aggregation, increased aggregation predisposes to microvascular occlusion and damage. Current smokers had significantly increased white blood cell aggregation when compared with non smokers. The presence of chronically activated white blood cells in current smokers may be relevant in the pathogenesis of ischaemic vascular disease.
Bridges
A B
AB
University Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee.
Hill
A
A
Belch
J J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*