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Effects of work place carbon monoxide exposure on blood viscosity

Dikmenoğlu Neslihan1, Seringeç Nurten

  • 1Department of Physiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. nhdikmen@yahoo.com

Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health
|February 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Chronic low-level carbon monoxide (CO) exposure significantly increases plasma viscosity, a key factor in blood viscosity. This finding suggests a potential mechanism linking CO exposure to increased cardiovascular disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Environmental Health Science

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a significant global health concern.
  • Both blood viscosity and exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) have been independently linked to CVDs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of chronic low-level CO exposure on determinants of blood viscosity.
  • To analyze effects on hematocrit, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte deformability, and erythrocyte aggregation.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 10 men with occupational CO exposure (≥6 months) and 10 healthy controls.
  • Plasma viscosity measured using a cone-plate viscometer.
  • Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation assessed via laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer.

Main Results:

  • Mean plasma viscosity was significantly higher in the CO-exposed group (1.4 ± 0.1 mPa·sn) compared to controls (1.2 ± 0.06 mPa·sn) (p < .05).
  • Plasma fibrinogen levels were slightly elevated in the CO-exposed group (275 ± 11 mg/dL) versus controls (263 ± 14 mg/dL).

Conclusions:

  • Chronic low-level CO exposure elevates plasma viscosity.
  • Increased plasma viscosity may represent a mechanism contributing to the heightened risk of CVDs associated with CO exposure.

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