Tobacco smoking causes secondary polycythemia and a mild leukocytosis among heavy smokers in Taif City in Saudi Arabia

In conclusion, data presented in the current study suggest that tobacco smoking might cause alveolar tissue inflammation and vascular injury causing an immune response that elevates the white blood cells count. Another suggestion is that tobacco smoking defects the pulmonary gaseous exchange mechanism leading to the secondary polycythemia indicated by the increase in red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, hematocrit and by the low serum erythropoietin levels.
Source: Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research