Nicotine gum and lipid profile
Lagrue, G.; Grimaldi, B.; Martin, C.; Demaria, C.; Jacotot, B.
Pathologie-Biologie 37(8): 937-939
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0369-8114 PMID: 2616205 Document Number: 334381
Smoking promotes for atherosclerosis by several mechanisms and particularly its actions on lipid metabolism; nicotine liability is well established. In one patient the use of nicotine-gum was reported to increase total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. We studied lipid modifications in 14 voluntary students, heavy smokers (greater than 20 cigarettes/day) and nicotine dependent (Fagerström test; score greater than 7). They gave up smoking and received in double blind study either 2 mg nicotine-gum, or placebo-gum (8-12 gums a day for one month). Total and HDL cholesterol (chol.), triglycerides (TG) were measured at day 0, day 30 and day 60. Giving up smoking was ascertained by CO-analyser. At day 30 total chol and TG were unmodified, and HDL chol appeared slightly increased. At day 60 HDL and LDL chol were significantly improved. So in nicotine-dependent smokers, by giving up smoking and receiving 2 mg nicotine-gum, lipid patterns are not worsened but improved.