Abstract
Background: Through measurements of the heart rate variability (HRV) accompanied by the pertinent biomarker assays, the effects of nicotine and byproducts derived from alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS) on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hormonal system have been investigated. Methods: HRV was studied in a group of volunteers (17 people), involving non-smokers, i.e., who never smoked before (11), ex-smokers (4) and active smokers (2). ANDS and smoking simulators, including regular, nicotine-free and electronic cigarettes; tobacco heating systems; chewing gums and nicotine packs of oral fixation (nic-packs), were used. Blood pressure, levels of stress hormones in saliva and catecholamines in the blood were also monitored. Results: HRV analysis showed relatively small changes in HRV and in the other studied parameters with the systemic use of nic-packs with low and moderate nicotine contents (up to 6 mg) compared to other ANDS. Conclusions: The HRV method is proven to be a promising technique for evaluation of the risks associated with smoking, dual use of various ANDS and studying the biomedical aspects of smoking cessation. Nic-packs are shown to be leaders in biological safety among the studied ANDS. A sharp surge in the activity of the sympathetic division of the ANS within the first minutes of the use of nicotine packs implies that nicotine begins to act already at very low doses (before entering the blood physically in any significant amount) through fast signal transmission to the brain from the nicotinic and taste buds located in the mouth area.
Highlights
Introduction iationsThe importance and topicality of the study reported stem from the impetuous spreading over the consumer market the new alternative to traditional tobacco products, nicotine delivery tools, which science and practical medicine do not yet keep up with in terms of studying and understanding the biological consequences of using the novel nicotine delivery systems
Summarizing all the aforesaid, in the study disclosed we have examined in detail the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) with the help of a heart rate variability (HRV) analysis applied to volunteers using various nicotine delivery systems and online smoking simulators
The important practical conclusion that can be drawn from the results of our study is that the analysis of the ANS activity within the framework of a smoking cessation program makes it possible to quickly and objectively assess the stress state of the smoker and choose the optimal alternative to ordinary but, to some electronic cigarettes, which will increase the chances of forever quitting smoking and reducing the risks of diseases caused by exposure to cigarette smoke
Summary
Introduction iationsThe importance and topicality of the study reported stem from the impetuous spreading over the consumer market the new alternative to traditional tobacco products, nicotine delivery tools, which science and practical medicine do not yet keep up with in terms of studying and understanding the biological consequences of using the novel nicotine delivery systems. The objective of this study consisted of searching for an appropriate methodology and of its experimental approbation through studying the pertinent biological impacts of different means of the nicotine delivery. In this context, the following two circumstances are noteworthy. Through measurements of the heart rate variability (HRV) accompanied by the pertinent biomarker assays, the effects of nicotine and byproducts derived from alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS) on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hormonal system have been investigated. Results: HRV analysis showed relatively small changes in HRV and in the other studied parameters with the systemic use of nic-packs with low and moderate nicotine contents (up to 6 mg) compared to other. Nic-packs are shown to be leaders in biological safety among the studied ANDS
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