Increase white blood
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Increasing White Blood Cells: Insights from Recent Research
Smoking and White Blood Cell Count
Smoking's Impact on White Blood Cells
Research has shown that smoking significantly increases white blood cell (WBC) counts. A study involving over 100,000 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study found that both current and former smokers had elevated WBC counts compared to never smokers. The increase in WBCs was dose-dependent on tobacco consumption and varied with the duration of smoking cessation1. This suggests that smoking has a long-term impact on WBC levels, with the highest increases observed in those who had quit smoking for less than a year.
White Blood Cells and Disease Associations
White Blood Cells and Type 2 Diabetes
Higher WBC counts have been associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). A systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 studies found that individuals in the highest tertile of WBC count had a 1.61 times higher risk of T2D compared to those in the lowest tertile. This association was consistent across different types of WBCs, including granulocytes and lymphocytes2. The findings suggest that inflammation, as indicated by elevated WBC counts, may play a role in the development of T2D.
White Blood Cells and Atrial Fibrillation
An increase in WBC count has also been linked to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A study of 1,325 patients found that those who developed AF had a greater increase in WBC count during hospitalization compared to those who did not develop AF. This suggests that monitoring WBC counts could help predict the risk of AF in patients with ACS5.
Mechanisms of White Blood Cell Increase
Glucocorticoids and Catecholamines
The increase in WBC counts can be influenced by medications such as glucocorticoids and catecholamines. These substances cause leukocytes to demarginate from the vascular walls into the main circulation, significantly elevating WBC counts. This process is driven by changes in leukocyte stiffness, which allows them to move more freely within the bloodstream6. This mechanism highlights the role of physical changes in leukocytes in regulating their levels in the blood.
Genetic Factors
Genetic factors also play a role in regulating WBC counts. A large-scale exome-wide association analysis identified several genetic loci associated with WBC traits. These loci are involved in various biological pathways, including immune response and hematopoiesis. The study found that many of these genetic variants are also linked to autoimmune diseases, suggesting a shared genetic basis between WBC regulation and immune-mediated conditions4.
Clinical Implications
Hemoglobin Levels
Elevated WBC counts can affect the accuracy of hemoglobin measurements. A study found that high WBC levels can increase the turbidity of blood samples, leading to falsely elevated hemoglobin values. This effect can be mitigated by using specific blood analysis techniques, such as high-speed centrifugation and colorimetric assays3.
Blood Pressure
There is evidence to suggest a causal relationship between WBC counts and blood pressure. Observational and genetic analyses have shown that higher counts of lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils are associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This relationship underscores the potential role of immune cells in the regulation of blood pressure9.
Conclusion
Increasing WBC counts can be influenced by various factors, including smoking, medications, and genetic predispositions. Elevated WBC levels are associated with several health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and atrial fibrillation, and can impact clinical measurements like hemoglobin levels. Understanding the mechanisms and implications of increased WBC counts can help in the management and prediction of related health risks.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Smoking and Increased White and Red Blood Cells: A Mendelian Randomization Approach in the Copenhagen General Population Study
Smoking causes increased blood leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, as well as increased hematocrit, hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular volume, with long-term effects for white blood cells and short-term effects for red blood cell indices.
Observational Study
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedDifferential White Blood Cell Count and Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional and Prospective Studies
A raised white blood cell count is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, but the observed association is likely an overestimate due to publication bias and failure to control for all potential confounders.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedThe effect of the increasing white blood cells on the hemoglobin level
High white blood cell levels can increase false hemoglobin values, but these effects can be eliminated using the Hi CN diluting blood, high-speed centrifuge, and colorimetric assay.
Large-Scale Exome-wide Association Analysis Identifies Loci for White Blood Cell Traits and Pleiotropy with Immune-Mediated Diseases.
16 common genetic variants are associated with white blood cell traits and autoimmune diseases, suggesting a shared genetic architecture with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalIncrease in white blood cell count is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation after an acute coronary syndrome.
Increased white blood cell count during hospitalization for an acute coronary syndrome is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation.
Observational StudyCellular softening mediates leukocyte demargination and trafficking, thereby increasing clinical blood counts
Glucocorticoids and catecholamines increase leukocyte demargination and trafficking by reducing granulocyte stiffness, a biomechanical mechanism that has clinical implications for inflammatory processes and hematopoietic stem cell mobilization.
Non-RCTHighly CitedWhite blood cell count and clinical outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage: The INTERACT2 trial
Elevated white blood cell count on admission is not an independent prognostic variable in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.
RCT
Large Human Trial12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced increase in depressed white blood cell counts in patients treated with cytotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic drugs.
TPA infusions effectively increase depressed white blood cell and neutrophil counts in cancer patients treated with cytotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, with only mild and reversible side effects.
Non-RCTWhite Blood Cells and Blood Pressure
Higher lymphocyte count is positively associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, suggesting a potential causal link between immune cells and hypertension.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalIncreased RNA Transcription of Energy Source Transporters in Circulating White Blood Cells of Aged Mice
Circulating white blood cells' metabolism related genes increase in aged mice, correlated with impaired neurological functions, suggesting impaired cell-cell interaction between white blood cells and endothelial cells.
Non-RCT
Animal Study