IS TRANSDERMAL NICOTINE ASSOCIATED WITH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

We had the unique opportunity to study the effects of transdermal nico tine on markers of haemostasis and serum lipids in patients with ulcer ative colitis; all were non-smokers and were given transdermal nicotin e to assess its value in maintenance therapy for colitis. In a control led double-blind trial, 45 patients with ulcerative colitis in remissi on on 5-aminosalicylic acid, were randomly allocated to receive transd ermal nicotine (20) or placebo (25) patches. Markers of haemostasis, i ncluding platelet activation (platelet volume and surface expression o f P selectin), endothelial damage (plasma von Willebrand factor antige n) and plasma fibrinogen were measured at the beginning and after 12 w eeks of treatment. The white cell count and serum lipids were also mea sured. Nicotine significantly lowered plasma fibrinogen but did not af fect markers of platelet activation, endothelial damage, white cell co unt and serum lipids, The possibility that transdermal nicotine may be neficially influence cardiovascular risk factors warrants further expl oration.