RESUMO
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 defense and deserve in surveillance of certain tumor and virus infected cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of current cigarette smoking on CD 16[+] + CD54[+] [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. Anticoagulated peripheral blood samples were stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD16[+] + CD56[+] NK cells, and then samples were analyzed by flowcytometry for the expression and count of the above makers. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software. Cigarette smokers had a significantly lower proportion of CD 16[+] + CD56[+] [NK cells] than did subjects who had never smoked [P<0.001]. NK cells were also decreased in the smoker subjects, ages 18-40 years as compared with the subjects aged 41.60 years [P<0.01]. 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