Even though nicotine is thought to calm inflammation, chewing nicotine gum after colon surgery didn't lower any of the blood markers of inflammation compared to regular gum.
Scientific Claim
In patients undergoing colorectal surgery, nicotine chewing gum does not significantly alter systemic inflammatory markers (IL-6, WBC, CRP ratio) compared to placebo gum, despite theoretical mechanisms suggesting anti-inflammatory effects via the cholinergic pathway.
Original Statement
“No significant differences were observed in IL-6 levels and white blood cell counts... CRP levels differed on POD1... but none of the calculated ratios showed differences between both groups.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
probability
Can suggest probability/likelihood
Assessment Explanation
The study measured biomarkers objectively and found no significant differences; the use of 'does not significantly alter' appropriately reflects the lack of evidence without overstating absence of effect.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Nicotine chewing gum for the prevention of postoperative ileus after colorectal surgery: a multicenter, double-blind, randomised, controlled pilot study
The study gave some patients nicotine gum and others regular gum after colon surgery and found that both groups had the same levels of inflammation markers—so the nicotine gum didn’t reduce inflammation like some thought it might.