Nasal and systemic inflammatory profile after short term smoking cessation

Summary Introduction Smoking cessation promotes health benefits and, despite cigarette smoking be an important pro inflammatory stimulus, there are few studies concerning the nasal and systemic inflammation; as well as the mucociliary clearance behavior in smokers after short period of smoking cessation. Aim To evaluate the nasal and systemic inflammatory markers and mucociliary clearance behavior after 30 days of cigarette smoking abstinence. Methods Twenty-five smokers were included and divided into two groups: abstinent smokers ( n  = 14) and current smokers ( n  = 11). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were measured on nasal lavage and blood serum samples by ELISA at baseline and after 30 days. The mucociliary clearance, exhaled carbon monoxide (exCO) and carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) were also measured at the same moments. Results There was a decrease of TNF-α level only in blood serum at 30 days of abstinence compared to current smokers. The mucociliary clearance improved and there was a reduction in exCO and HbCO ( p Conclusion The short term smoking abstinence decreased systemic inflammation and improved nasal mucociliary clearance, despite not having changed the nasal inflammation.