title: Effect of brief secondhand smoke exposure on endothelial function and circulating markers of inflammation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In contrast to the well defined detrimental consequences of long-term secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, little is known about the acute effects of passive smoking on endothelial function and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to assess the acute effects of short-term SHS exposure on endothelial function and circulating markers of inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral microvascular endothelial function assessed by reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) index, circulating markers of endothelial function (von Willebrand factor antigen, Thrombomodulin, E-selectin) and circulating inflammatory markers (high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6)) were measured in eighteen male, non-smoking volunteers before and 12h after a 1-h SHS exposure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve hours after passive smoking, average RH-PAT index was significantly lower than before SHS exposure (1.54±0.49 vs 2.01±0.55 (mean±SD), p=0.01) indicating deterioration of peripheral microvascular endothelial function. von Willebrand factor antigen as a marker of endothelial activation was significantly increased after SHS exposure (93.0±25.5% vs 78.4±17.9%, p=0.03). Levels of Thrombomodulin, E-selectin, hsCRP, and IL-6 were unaffected by SHS exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term SHS exposure leads to a measurable disturbance of endothelial function. However, 1h of passive smoking appears to be too short to elicit a significant inflammatory response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kantonsspital Graubuenden, Chur, Switzerland. piero.bonetti@ksgr.ch
authors.forename: Piero O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Bonetti
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lardi
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geissmann
authors.forename: Max U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brüesch
authors.forename: Walter H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Reinhart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000209:etiology; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D018180:Thrombomodulin / Q000097:blood; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019040:E-Selectin; D018180:Thrombomodulin; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; C029417:Von Willebrand antigen; D014841:von Willebrand Factor