V. Saareks et al., Effects of smoking cessation and nicotine substitution on systemic eicosanoid production in man, N-S ARCH PH, 363(5), 2001, pp. 556-561
This study investigated the effects of smoking cessation with and without n
icotine substitution on the excretion of major urinary metabolites of throm
boxane A(2) and prostacyclin, 11-dehydrothromboxane B-2 and 2,3-dinor-6-ket
oprostaglandin F1(alpha), respectively, as well as on the, excretion of leu
kotriene E-4 in man. Urine samples were, obtained from 20 healthy non-smoki
ng controls and from 60 healthy smoking volunteers before, and 3, 7 and 14
days after smoking cessation. Fifteen smokers quit smoking without nicotine
substitution, 15 used nicotine chewing gum and 30 used nicotine patches as
a substitution therapy, Urinary thiocyanate as well as cotinine and trans-
3'-hydroxycotinine excretions were used as compliance and nicotine substitu
tion indicators.
11-Dehydrothromboxane B-2, 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F-1 alpha and leuk
otriene E-4 after smoking cessation. Fifteen smokers quit smoking without e
xcretion was about two, three and five times higher in smokers than in cont
rols, respectively. Three days after smoking cessation without nicotine sub
stitution. 11-dehydrothrombosane B-2 and 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F-1
alpha levels were lowered to 75% (P <0.01) and 80% (P <0.05) of the initial
values, and after 14 days to 50% (P <0.01) and 60% (P <0.05), respectively
. Tn 3 days leukotriene E-4 excretion was dropped to 78% of the initial val
ue (P <0.05), but no ful ther decrease was observed during the study, In in
dividuals using nicotine chewing gum or nicotine patches no significant cha
nges were observed in the analytes during the 2-week follow-up? The increas
ed systemic eicosanoid synthesis observed in smokers may be involved in the
harmful cardiovascular effects of smoking, The: fact that eicosanoid produ
ction remains at pre-cessation level in volunteers who quit smoking but use
nicotine substitution may be involved in the risk of cardiovascular compli
cations reported during nicotine replacement therapy.