Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Hematological Parameters and von Willebrand Factor Functional Activity Levels in Asymptomatic Male and Female Arab Smokers

Vol. 17, No. 2, 2008

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Original Paper

Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Hematological Parameters and von Willebrand Factor Functional Activity Levels in Asymptomatic Male and Female Arab Smokers
Anwar M. Al-Awadhi^a, Suad M. AlFadhli^a, Nada Y. Mustafa^a, Prem N. Sharma^b

^aDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and
^bHealth Sciences Computer Center, Kuwait University, Kuwait

Address of Corresponding Author

Med Princ Pract 2008;17:149-153 (DOI: 10.1159/000112970)

Key Words

Smoking
Gender
von Willebrand factor
Enzyme-linked immunoassay

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed at determining the effects of cigarette smoking based on gender, on several hematological parameters and von Willebrand factor protein in the asymptomatic Arab population of Kuwait. Subjects and Methods: Ninety-two subjects participated in this study: 55 males (31 smokers and 24 nonsmokers) and 37 females (18 smokers and 19 nonsmokers). Complete blood count results were obtained using Beckman Coulter Hematology Analyzer. Von Willebrand factor functional activity was determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay-based test in which anti-von Willebrand factor IgG monoclonal antibody was used that recognizes a functional epitope of the protein. The coagulation profile was obtained using ACL® 9000 coagulation analyzer. Results: Male smokers had significantly higher levels of white blood cell count (p = 0.03) and von Willebrand factor protein levels (p = 0.029), and a significantly shorter thrombin time (p = 0.019) than nonsmokers. Smoking did not appear to affect any of the parameters analyzed in females as no significant difference was found between smokers and nonsmokers (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that smoking affected white blood cell count and von Willebrand factor levels in males and not in females, and as such could be potential markers for smoking-induced endothelial damage in asymptomatic Arab male smokers.

Author Contacts

Dr. Anwar Al-Awadhi
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, PO Box 31470
90805 Sulaibekhat (Kuwait)
Tel. +965 498 3592, Fax +965 498 3835, E-Mail alawadhi@hsc.edu.kw

Article Information

Received: February 19, 2007
Revised: April 24, 2007
Published online: February 19, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 32

Medline Abstract (ID 18287800)

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