Abstract
Protein S is a natural anticoagulant plasma protein; familial deficiency is associated with thrombotic complications. Since smoking carries an increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, we investigated the protein S system of men who smoke. In plasma, free protein S is functionally active and protein S bound to C4b binding protein is inactive. Male smokers ( n = 24) have lower total protein S than nonsmokers ( n = 24) (16.8 ± 4.3 μg/ml versus 19.8 ± 5.1 μg/ml, p < 0.02). C4b binding protein levels are higher ( p < 0.05) in smokers (212 ± 47 μg/ml versus 186 ± 52 μg/ml). Free protein S is significantly lower in smokers (6.9 ± 2.3 μg/ml versus 8.0 ± 1.9 μg/ml, p = 0.02). These alterations in protein S may contribute to the thrombotic complications associated with smoking.
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