Effects of cigarette smoking on hemorheologic parameters, plasma osmolality and lung function.
BACKGROUND
Cigarette smoking deteriorates human health via vascular disorders, cancer and especially respiratory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate effects of cigarette smoking on hemorheologic parameters, plasma osmolality and lung function in individuals without diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


METHODS
Patients diagnosed without COPD utilizing respiratory function test were enrolled in the study with three groups, ex-smokers (n = 21), current-smokers (n = 35) and never-smokers (n = 43). Hemorheologic parameters and plasma osmolality were measured in hemorheology laboratory. SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Blood and plasma viscosity, fibrinogen and hematocrit levels, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly elevated in ex-smokers and current-smokers compared to never-smokers. The standardized red blood cell deformability and oxygen delivery index and lung function were statistically lower in current-smokers than never-smokers. Pulmonary blood flow rate was statistically lower in current-smokers and ex-smokers than never-smokers. Plasma osmolality was statistically significantly higher in ex-smokers and current-smokers than never-smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings clearly show that cigarette smoking has severe effects on hemorheologic parameters, plasma osmolality and lung function even in individuals without COPD. Blood and plasma viscosity with plasma osmolality might be useful markers to detect early hemorheologic-hemodynamic alterations in cigarette smokers.
Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Dilek Duzgun
DD
Ergun
Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Denizhan
D
Karis
Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Fatma Ates
FA
Alkan
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Haseki Education & Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Gulfidan
G
Cakmak
Department of Internal Medicine, Haseki Education & Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Mustafa
M
Yenigun
Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Meltem
M
Ercan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000503:physiopathology
Cigarette smoking; blood viscosity; lung function; oxygen delivery index; plasma osmolality; plasma viscosity; red blood cell aggregation; red blood cell deformability