Effect of cigarette smoking and 3.2% ethanol alone or together on RBC and platelet counts in rats

The present study was conducted on 32 rats divided into four groups. Group C served as control, Group S rats were exposed to cigarette smoke alone, Group SE to cigarette smoke and ethanol (3.2%) and Group E to ethanol alone for twelve weeks. The basal RBC and platelet count were determined and compared with the values obtained at the end of 12 weeks. A significant increase in RBC and platelet counts was seen in Groups S (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 respectively) and SE (P < 0.01 for both counts). The increase in group SE is less than that seen in Group S. Ethanol consumption alone has shown a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in RBC count and apparent decrease in platelet count as compared to control. This study indicates that cigarette smoke is damaging to health alone or when combined with ethanol.