Biomarkers of Exposure and Potential Harm in Two Weeks of Smoking Abstinence: Changes in Biomarkers of Platelet Function, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation

Abstract

: Chronic cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for many serious diseases. While complete cessation of smoking is the best option to reduce harm from smoking, adverse impacts of smoking on health could persist for several years after cessation. Therefore, Biomarkers of Potential Harm (BoPH) are useful in interim evaluations of the beneficial effects of smoking cessation or switching to potentially lower-risk tobacco products. A 14-day smoking abstinence study was conducted under clinical confinement conditions and enrolled 70 subjects into younger (24–34 years, n = 33) and older (35–60 years, n = 37) age cohorts. Biomarkers of Exposure (BoE), which indicate exposure to nicotine and other toxicants, were measured at baseline, 7 and 14 days. Several BoPH including previously identified eicosanoids (leukotriene 4 (LTE4) and 2,3-dinor thromboxane 2 (2,3-d-TXB2) and others were evaluated. Significant declines in BoE, LTE4, 2,3-d-TXB2, neutrophils, WBC and select RBC, and arterial blood gas parameters were observed in both age cohorts at Days 7 and 14 compared to baseline, while other BoPH (e.g., FeNO) showed age-related effects. Rapid and reproducible reductions in LTE4, 2,3-d-TXB2 WBC, and neutrophil counts were consistently detected following smoking abstinence, indicating the value of these markers as useful BoPH.

Changes in Biomarkers of Exposure and Potential Harm in Smokers Switched to Vuse Vibe or Vuse Ciro Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

“…Overall, these BoE declines are consistent with the findings from studies regarding Vuse Solo, one study in which menthol and non-menthol products were tested [29], and the other wherein only non-menthol products were evaluated [30]. Further, similar reductions in nicotine exposure, TSNAs, and CEMA levels were reported in smokers who abstained from smoking for 7 days in a smoking abstinence biomarker study [42].…”

Relationship between urinary tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-( 3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and lung function: Evidence from NHANES 2007–2012

“…The exact mechanisms explaining the relationship between urinary NNAL and lung function might be very complex and require further basic research to demonstrate. Chronic smoking can lead to altered lung ventilation and impaired airflow exchange 29 . Smoking caused chronic inflammation, an increase in white blood cells and red blood cells, and had a long-term effect on white blood cells 30 .…”