LIGHT AND REGULAR CIGARETTES CONSUMERS AND ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION

Background: Several studies have shown that cigarette smoking has a negative effect on cardiovascular health and that it’s an independent determinant of flow mediated dilation (FMD), a well accepted marker of endothelial function. The exact mechanism how smoking may induce changes in the functional vascular characteristics is still unknown. For example, it is unknown whether the cigarette content of tar/nicotine/carbon-monoxide may be important or not. In the attempt to address this issue, in the present study we have evaluated whether the effect of cigarette smoking on endothelial dysfunction is related to the content of tar, nicotine or carbon-monoxide (CO) reported on the pack. Methods: Flow mediated dilation (FMD) of 45 consumers of light cigarettes was compared to that of 45 consumers of regular cigarettes, matched for age, gender and packyears. Cigarettes were defined as light or regular on the basis of the concomitant presence of the three components (tar, nicotine and CO) above or below 7, 0.7 and 7 mg, respectively. 45 never smokers, matched for age and gender, were included into the study as negative controls. Results: In the unadjusted analysis, as well as in the full model adjusted for all possible confounders, FMD values of both light and regular cigarettes consumers (2.78%±3.13, 4.03%±2.93, respectively) were significantly lower than FMD value obtained in never smokers (6.26%±3.21; both p<0.002). In contrast, no significant difference was observed when light and regular cigarettes consumers were compared each other (p=0.173). Conclusions: This assessment, based on measures of FMD, supports the concept that the consumption of light cigarettes is not associated with a lower risk of endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, light cigarettes consumption should not be considered a valid alternative to smoking cessation. Funding: Research was supported in part by Philip Morris USA Inc. and Philip Morris International.