Free Radical Production in the Smoking of E-Cigarettes and their Possible Effects in Human Health

Int J Prev Med. 2020 Apr 30:11:53. doi: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_424_19. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Background: The increase in smoking e-cigarettes with nicotine or only flavoring compounds requires a deep study on consequences on human health. This research aims to study the possible process, to form free radicals or the nuclei's damages with consequent micronuclei's formation.

Methods: The study analyzed three groups: the first one that uses e-cigarettes with nicotine, (e-nicotine), the second flavoured liquid (e-vapor) and third the not-smoking group. We determinated the salivary malondialdehyde (MDA), the total salivary mucins (SM). and in buccal smear cells the micronuclei (MN). We statistically analyzed the results with the Mann-Whitney U Test Calculator.

Results: Smoking e-cigarettes e-nicotine or e-vapor produced a great and significative amount of MDA vs control group: p ≤ 0.05. Only those smoking e-nicotine, have a highest and statically significant amount of salivary mucins vs control group: P value 00496. In both smokers groups, the mean of MN scores has a significant difference vs control group P ≤ 0.05.

Conclusions: This study shows the possible damages of the nuclei, but the increase of radicals, oral mucins and MN needs more researches.

Keywords: Electronic nicotine delivery systems; free radicals; neoplasm.