Atherogenic effect of cigarette smoke exposure and high salt intare using the rabbit as an experimental model

ABSTRACT

The effect of cigarette smoke exposure and high salt intake, either singly or in combination, were assessed on some atherogenic factors. Significant increases in total cholesterol were found in all treated groups. When combined cigarette smoke exposure and high salt intake had an additive effect. This was combined with a lack of effect on HDL cholesterol. Cigarette smoke exposure resulted in a 28% increase in serum triglycerides. Although high salt intake alone was without effect on this parameter, it had a synergistic effect when combined with cigarette smoke exposure. Platelet aggregation was significantly increased after cigarette smoke exposure, high salt diet intake and their combination. Significant decrease of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were recorded after high salt intake and its combination with cigarette smoke exposure, which may denote increase tendency for thrombus formation. Results were fully discussed