Determination of Genotoxic Effects of Hookah Smoking by Micronucleus and Chromosome Aberration Methods

Abstract

BackgroundUse of a hookah (a type of water pipe) is a traditional way of smoking tobacco, particularly in the Middle East. In Turkey, its popularity has been growing in recent years, especially among young people. It is known that cigarette smoking has genotoxic effects and causes mutations, but no comprehensive study has been done on the genotoxic effects of hookah usage, particularly in Turkey.Material/MethodsWe collected peripheral blood/buccal smear samples from 30 subjects who did not smoke cigarettes but who regularly smoke a hookah an average of 2 times per week, and from 30 control subjects who had never smoked cigarettes or a hookah. Chromosome analyses were performed on the samples obtained from peripheral blood of each individual, 25 metaphase plaques were counted for each, and chromosome/chromatid breakage/gap parameters were evaluated. Micronucleus analysis was done on buccal smear samples and micronucleus/binucleus parameters were investigated by counting 2000 cells of each individual.ResultsChromosome breakage ratios were found to be 0.64±0.86 and 0.46±0.71 in the study and control groups, respectively, while chromatid breakage ratios were 0.53±0.83 and 0.53±0.71; fragment ratios were 0.82±1.24 and 0.21±0.49 (p<0.05); and gap ratios were 0.57±0.83 and 0.18±0.53 (p<0.05), respectively. Micronucleus ratio was 6.03±2.06 and 4.43±2.27 (p<0.05) in the study and control groups, respectively, and binucleus ratios were 8.53±3.23 and 12.15±5.18, respectively (p<0.05).ConclusionsResults of our study reveal significant statistical differences between the individuals who smoked hookah and those who did not in terms of fragment, gap, micronucleus, and binucleus parameters, suggesting that smoking a hookah may cause genotoxic effects.

Micronucleus Assay of Buccal Mucosa Cells in Waterpipe (Hookah) Smokers: A Cytologic Study

“…The study showed that the mean number of micronuclei in buccal mucosa cells of waterpipe smokers was significantly higher than non-smokers. The genotoxic effect of waterpipe on buccal cells and peripheral blood leukocytes have been demonstrated with comet assay (13), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) assay (14) and chromosome analyses (15). In present study, using a simpler method, the previous results were confirmed.…”

Comparison of Genotoxic Effect in Buccal Exfoliated Cells between Cigarette and Waterpipe Smokers

“…The selected groups were age and sex matched. The sample size was determined according to similar studies [9, 10]. We included a relatively proportionate population of all three groups of light, moderate, and heavy smokers.…”

“…Subjects who had smoked for at least 1 year and reported smoking at least 5 cigarettes per day were considered cigarette smokers [11]. Individuals who had smoked waterpipe for at least 1 year and reported smoking waterpipe at least once per week were considered waterpipe smokers [10, 12]. Subjects who had never previously smoked either waterpipe or cigarettes were considered nonsmokers [10, 12].…”

Smoking-induced genetic and epigenetic alterations in infertile men

“…A variety of factors including cigarette smoke can change the impact of genotoxic agents on the micronucleus frequency (Luzhna, Kathiria, & Kovalchuk, ). Exposure to cigarette smoke and hookah lead to increased micronucleus frequency (Cavalcante et al, ; Derici Eker et al, ). Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain micronuclei formation.…”