title: Acute effects of cigarette smoking on insulin resistance and arterial stiffness in young adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is unclear whether changes in insulin sensitivity or arterial stiffness in cigarette smokers could explain the link between cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the acute effects of cigarette smoking on insulin resistance and arterial stiffness in a cohort of young healthy adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Metabolic risk components, hemodynamic parameters, plasma nitrite/nitrate and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, were compared between smokers and age- and gender-matched controls (non-smokers). In smokers, these levels were determined 8-h following cigarette abstinence and an hour after smoking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred nineteen smokers and age-matched non-smokers (mean age, 32 years; 83% men) were included in this study. Compared with non-smokers, smokers had a significantly higher number of abnormal metabolic risk components, HOMA-IR index and total nitrite/nitrate levels. There were no differences in brachial/central blood pressure, augmentation index and hsCRP between smokers and non-smokers. An hour after smoking, smokers had significantly higher levels of HOMA-IR, total nitrite/nitrate, hsCRP and heart rate compared with baseline levels. By contrast, brachial/central blood pressure and augmentation index were unchanged after cigarette smoking. Baseline vascular and insulin resistance status predicted the extent of rise in the HOMA-IR and augmentation indices acutely after cigarette smoking (adjusted R(2) 0.358 and 0.124, p < 0.001 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with more advanced vascular damage and insulin resistance are vulnerable to the acute effects of cigarette smoking.
authors: Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E, NUHS Tower Block, Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore. raymond_seet@nus.edu.sg
authors: Raymond C S
authors: RC
authors: Seet
authors: Wai Mun
authors: WM
authors: Loke
authors: Chin Meng
authors: CM
authors: Khoo
authors: Soh Eng
authors: SE
authors: Chew
authors: Wan Ling
authors: WL
authors: Chong
authors: Amy M L
authors: AM
authors: Quek
authors: Erle C H
authors: EC
authors: Lim
authors: Barry
authors: B
authors: Halliwell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D002097:C-Reactive Protein