Platelet reactivity, fibrinogen and smoking

40 young healthy male volunteers (20 habitual smokers and 20 non-smokers) were investigated with respect to platelet reactivity, plasma fibrinogen and coagulation factor VIII. Smokers had significantly lower systolic blood pressures and higher venous platelet counts. The results for ADP-induced platelet aggregation, plasma concentrations for the 2 alpha-granule proteins, beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4, did not differ between the 2 study groups involved; nor was there any difference between serum thromboxane B2 formation or plasma factor VIII:C activity. However, as compared to non-smokers, plasma fibrinogen levels were significantly higher among the smokers.