Cigarette smoking does not affect PGI2 platelet receptors

Cigarette smoking was shown to enhance platelet adhesiveness (1,2) and aggregability (3,4), and to shorten the bleeding time (5); these effects on platelet function are most likely due to multiple factors such as the increased catecholamine plasma levels, observed in the immediate post-smoking period (61, or the increased NEFA plasma concentration(7).Moreover a decreased prostacyclin formation (8,9) and a decreased platelet sensitivity to PGI,(lO,ll) have been recently reported to occur ir: smokers; Sinzinger (11) has also reported that exposure of nonsmokers to smoke for some days induces a decrease in baseline (prior t:o smoking) platelet sensitivity to PG12. This change in platelet sensitivity to PG12 could be related to a change in PG12 platelet binding sites. The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of smokiv? habits on PG12 p latelet binding sites.