Effects of nicotine nasal spray on atherogenic and thrombogenic factors during smoking cessation

Objectives. To investigate changes in cardiovascular risk factor parameters when stopping smelting and to identify any impact of nicotine nasal spray on these factors. Design and subjects, 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 6.6 x 10(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), Conclusion. 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.