Abstract
In the present investigation we measured plasma levels of complement C3a and C5a, thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and 6-keto PGF1α in anesthetized rabbits by radioimmunoassay after the intravenous injection of nicotine and cigarette smoke extracts.
Plasma levels of complement C3a in rabbits showed a significant increased and reached a maximum value 60 minutes after the intravenous injection of nicotine and cigarette smoke extract. Plasma levels of complement C5a in rabbits showed a significant increase and reached a maximum value 30 minutes after the intravenous injection of nicotine. Plasma levels of complement C5a in rabbits showed a significant increase and reached a maximum value 60 minutes after the intravenous injection of cigarette smoke extract. Plasma levels of TxB2 in rabbits showed a significant increase after the intravenous injection of nicotine and cigarette smoke extract. Plasma levels of 6-keto PGF1α in rabbits did not show any change aftert the intraveous injection of nicotine and cigarette smoke extracts.
The above results may suggest that the intravenous injection of nicotine and cigarette smoke extracts induces an increase of plasma levels of complement C3a and C5a and TxB2 in anesthetized rabbits.
