title: Effects of nicotine nasal spray on atherogenic and thrombogenic factors during smoking cessation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate changes in cardiovascular risk factor parameters when stopping smoking and to identify any impact of nicotine nasal spray on these factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a placebo-controlled, double-blind 3-month prospective study, nicotine nasal spray (NNS) or a placebo was given to 157 subjects attending a smoking cessation programme. Blood samples from 46 subjects who remained abstinent for 3 months were analysed. Nasal spray use was given on an ad libitum basis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The haemoglobin (Hb) decreased from 149.0 to 143.2 g L(-1) (P<0.001). The haematocrit (Hct) decreased from 44.6 to 42.4% (P<0.001). The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) decreased from 93.4 to 92.3 fl (P<0.001). The mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) increased from 333.9 to 338.1 g L(-1) (P = 0.029). The white blood cell count (WBC) decreased from 8.4 to 6.6x10(9) L(-1) (P<0.001). The total cholesterol decreased from 5.92 to 5.65 mmol L(-1) (P = 0.015). The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) increased from 1.29 to 1.44 mmol L(-1) (P = 0.48) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) decreased from 4.00 to 3.54 mmol L(-1) (P = 0.004). The HDL/LDL ratio increased from 0.36 to 0.46 (P = 0.011).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stopping smoking resulted in positive effects on cardiovascular risk factors. Nicotine treatment for as long as 3 months did not have any significant effect on these 'stopping smoking changes'. In smoking cessation, nicotine substitution up to 3 months seems to be safe.
authors.affiliation: Reykjavik Health Care Center, Iceland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lúdvíksdóttir
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Blöndal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franzon
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Gudmundsson
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Säwe
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002784:Cholesterol