The means of PT and platelet count as well as the means of the fibrinogen and Factor VIII XL184 levels in the clear weather and after climate changes are summarized in table 2. Table 2 Analysis of coagulant factors, before and after climate changes in healthy men residing in Khoramshahr

and Abadan Discussion So far, various studies have been conducted by many authors to assess the effects of pollutants on the individual’s health, particularly coagulation state. Most of these studies have investigated the impact Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of air pollutants caused by fossil fuels, and their findings support the notion that pollutants less than 10 PM in size can affect QT dispersion, stimulate the inflammatory processes in the lungs, activate macrophages, enhance the production of IL-6, and finally increase coagulation state.10,16,17

The results of our study suggest that the dust deployed in the Middle East, similar to other pollutants, can affect the coagulant factors in blood. In concordance with our findings, many Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical authors have stated that air pollutants can reduce PT and increase platelet levels, fibrin degradation products, and Factor VII levels.16 PT measures the formation of the fibrin clot through the activity of the extrinsic and common coagulation Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical pathways, which involve the interaction between the tissue factor and activated Factor VII, in addition to Factor X, Factor V, prothrombin, and fibrinogen.18 Our finding of a mildly shortened PT in association with high concentrations of pollutants less than 10 PM in size apparently reflects air pollution-related Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical changes in blood coagulation. PT depends on the concentrations of factors in the extrinsic (Factor VII) and common pathways (Factor

X, Factor V, Factor II, and fibrinogen) Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and is reduced in the presence of traces of thrombin or other activated factors that may be produced in hypercoagulable states.19 Given the fact that the alterations in the levels of Factor II and Factor X were not significant in the pilot group and given the elevated level of Factor VIII after climate change, it seems that the air pollutants in our region affect the extrinsic, but not the common, pathway. The results from experimental and epidemiological studies that have evaluated the plasma concentrations of coagulation factors in association with PD184352 (CI-1040) air pollution exposure are far from conclusive. Mutlu et al.15 reported that air pollutants less than 10 micrometers in size can reduce PT but raise fibrinogen and Factor VIII levels. They also noted that PTT can decrease in the presence of pollutants, whereas the levels of Factor II, Factor X, and IL-6 can increase. Seaton et al.14 found that pollutants less than 10 PM in size can increase platelet and Factor VII levels. Despite the fact that comparable results have been published by many investigators, some authors have found no correlation between air pollutions and coagulant factors in blood.