تأثير مصرف سيگار بر سلول هاي كشنده طبيعي (NK) خون محيطي

The effect of cigarette smoking on the Natural killer cells in peripheral blood

Background: Cigarette smoking affect on white blood cell (WBC) and Natural killer (NK) cells count in humans and animals. Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune system, and the first line of immune system defence and serve in surveillance of certain tumor and virus infected cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of current cigarette smoking on CD16+ + CD56+ (NK cells) Peripheral blood in healthy Iranian volunteers, aged between 18-60 years. The study population consisted of male including 35 current smokers and 40 non-smokers. Methods: Anticoagulated peripheral blood samples were stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD16+ + CD56+ NK cells, and then samples were analysed by flowcytometry for the expression and count of the above markers. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software. Results: Cigarrette smokers had a significantly lower proportion of CD16+ + CD56+ (NK cells) than did subjects who had never smoked (P<0.001). NK cells were also decreased in the smoker subjects, aged 18-40 years as compared with the subjects aged 41-60 years (P<0.01). Conclusion: The data showed: 1-Smoking cigarette might have been more effective for younger than elder subjects in consideration of NK activity. 2-This quantitative NK cell deficit may contribute to the elevated risk of malignancy and viral infections in this population.