Background The links between smoking, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are well-established. Several studies demonstrate that quitting smoking reverses the risk of coronary heart disease within five to ten years. However, the immediate effects of quitting smoking on inflammatory biomarkers associated with CVD risk are not well described. Methods In this pilot study, we examined a panel of circulating inflammatory biomarkers associated with CVD in ‘at risk’ women during the smoking cessation process. Forty-six women enrolled in a smoking cessation program consented to attend 4 study visits over 6–7 weeks. Health/medical information and blood was collected at each visit. Circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF, IL-6, soluble TNF receptors I and II, and soluble VCAM-1 were measured and changes between baseline levels (visit 1, while smoking) and visits 2–4 were determined. Results Significant reductions in circulating TNF, soluble TNF receptors I and II, and soluble VCAM-1 were observed among participants over the smoking cessation process. Both serum IL-6 and CRP levels declined during the smoking cessation process; however the changes were not statistically significant. Conclusions These findings suggest that there are rapid consequences of smoking cessation on inflammatory biomarkers in women at risk for CVD. Additional, larger studies including diverse smokers desiring to quit are required to confirm changes in ‘measurable milestones’ which could serve as motivating factors to assist smokers to quit.

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