Smoking cessation reduces systemic inflammation and circulating endothelin-1

Abstract

Smoking increases systemic inflammation and circulating endothelin-1 (ET-1), both of which contribute to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present study sought to test the hypothesis that a 12-week smoking cessation intervention would contribute to a long-term reduction in circulating ET-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). 30 individuals participated in a 12-week evidence-based smoking cessation program at Augusta University. Serum cotinine, plasma inflammatory cytokines, and plasma ET-1 were determined at baseline, immediately after the 12-week cessation program (end of treatment, EOT), and 12-months (12M) following the cessation program. Serum cotinine was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) at EOT and 12M following the smoking cessation program. Compared to BL (7.0 ± 1.6 pg/mL), TNF-α was significantly reduced at EOT (6.3 ± 1.5 pg/mL, p = 0.001) and 12M (5.2 ± 2.7 pg/mL, p < 0.001). ET-1 was significantly lower at EOT (1.9 ± 0.6 pg/mL, p = 0.013) and at 12M (2.0 ± 0.8 pg/mL, p = 0.091) following smoking cessation compared with BL (2.3 ± 0.6 pg/mL). BL concentrations of cotinine were significantly associated with basal ET-1 (r = 0.449, p = 0.013) and the change in cotinine at 12M following smoking cessation was significantly associated with the change in plasma ET-1 at 12M (r = 0.457, p = 0.011). Findings from the present pilot investigation demonstrate that a 12-week smoking cessation program reduces circulating concentrations of ET-1 and TNF-α for at least a year. The reduction in serum cotinine was associated with the decrease in circulating ET-1. The attenuation in ET-1 and inflammation may in part, contribute to the lower risk of CVD that is observed with smoking cessation.

Influence of oral tobacco versus smoking on multiple sclerosis disease activity and progression

“…Although rather few patients stopped smoking post diagnosis, and the ability to assess benefits of smoking cessation was limited, our finding is in accordance with previous studies 6–8. A reduction of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress following smoking cessation may contribute to the favourable effect on disease outcomes 28–30…”

“…[6][7][8] A reduction of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress following smoking cessation may contribute to the favourable effect on disease outcomes. [28][29][30] Although we found a significant influence of current smoking on the risk of cognitive disability worsening in MS as well as a trend showing increased risk of unfavourable outcome with increasing cumulative dose of smoking, we observed no significant association in our main analysis where individuals were followed up to 15 years. Further studies are thus needed to investigate the impact of smoking on cognitive functioning in MS.…”

Persistence of airway inflammation in smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes

“…The NRT/VAR group showed a significant decrease in expression levels of TNF-α mRNA after 12 weeks ( figure 1a ), consistent with a recent report showing reduced systemic levels of TNF-α in participants who quit smoking with NRT or varenicline after 12 weeks [ 12 ]. However, TNF-α mRNA expression levels were unchanged in both the cigarette and e-cigarette groups after the 12-week period ( figure 1b and c).…”

“…Furthermore, expression of these markers is known to be elevated in nasal samples from smokers [ 10 , 11 ]. TNF-α also decreases in subjects quitting with NRT within a 12-week period [ 12 ]. We therefore measured expression levels of TNF-α, TGF-β1, and MMP-9 mRNAs from NECs by droplet digital PCR with TaqMan assays (TNF-α, Hs00174128_m1; TGF-β1, Hs00998133_m1; MMP-9, Hs00234579_m1; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) and levels of MMP-9 activity from nasal ELF collections using a Human Active MMP-9 Fluorokine E Kit (#F9M00; R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA).…”

“…Unfortunately, our study was not powered to examine sex differences. However, a recent study found that circulating levels of endothelin-1 and TNF-α were significantly reduced in smokers who quit with NRT or varenicline after 12 weeks with no significant differences based on sex [ 12 ]. Despite these limitations, our study provides evidence that NRT or varenicline as cessation methods can lead to improvements in some airway inflammatory markers compared to nicotine-containing e-cigarettes after only 12 weeks of abstinence.…”