The Role of Sex in the Effects of Smoking and Nicotine on Cardiovascular Function, Atherosclerosis, and Inflammation

Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the effects of nicotine and cigarette smoke (CS) on cardiovascular function and atherosclerosis in male and female mice. The study aimed to identify sex-specific risk factors and determine the differential effects of nicotine and CS on vascular function and atherosclerosis.

Key Points:

* The study exposed male and female mice to CS and nicotine for 16 weeks and assessed vascular function and atherosclerosis.
* The study found sex-specific differences in endothelial function, plaque, inflammation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulators with exposure to CS and nicotine.
* CS increased heart rate similarly in both sexes but induced a more substantial impairment in endothelial function in males and more plaque in females than nicotine.
* Both treatments elevated senescence-associated GLB1/-galactosidase (SA-GLB1) and interleukin 17A (IL17A) similarly in both sexes.
* CS upregulated cholesterol in both sexes, triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-5 (CXCL5/LIX) only in males, and LDL and IL1A only in females.
* Nicotine metabolism showed sex-specific responses to nicotine but not smoking.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of assessing sex in tobacco and nicotine exposure studies. The study shows sex-specific differences in endothelial function, plaque, inflammation, and ECM regulators with exposure to CS and nicotine. These findings underscore the negative effect of oral nicotine administration, which is becoming increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults. The study emphasizes the need to consider sex differences in tobacco and nicotine research and the development of regulatory policies to protect public health.

Ann Marie Centner, Abigail E Cullen, Leila Khalili, Vladimir Ukhanov, Stephanie Hill, Riley Deitado, Hyun Seok Hwang, Tooyib Azeez, Justin D La Favor, Orlando Laitano, Michelle S Parvatiyar, Stephen P Chelko, Gloria Salazar, The Role of Sex in the Effects of Smoking and Nicotine on Cardiovascular Function, Atherosclerosis, and Inflammation, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Volume 27, Issue 6, June 2025, Pages 1116–1126, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae274