Effects of Jurak Smoke Condensate on Enzyme Activity of the Mouse

Abstract

The effect of jurak smoke condensate on the activities of alkaline phosphatase, glucose 6-phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, and cholinesterase of mouse liver and small intestine was investigated. Jurak smoke condensate was administered orally by stomach tube five times weekly over a three-month period. Fifteen animals were used at 1, 2, and 3 months after the start of the administration, with 5 animals killed on days 1,5, and 9, and the liver and small intestine removed for enzyme assays. The activities of all four enzymes, which are known to be sensitive to toxic agents, were significantly affected. These results indicate that the low content of tobacco leaves in jurak paste and the filtration of the smoke by water in the sheesha reservoir are not sufficient to make the smoke inhaled by smokers risk free. Cigarette smoking is common among both males and females throughout the world, and has been implicated in a variety of diseases. Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases of all kinds [1].Jurak (a mixture of tobacco and fruits cooked to produce a dark paste) is popular as the ingredient for hubblebubbles (sheesha). Although many Saudi subjects of both sexes and various ages are regular sheesha smokers, little experimental and clinical research has been done on the effects of sheesha smoking. It is generally believed by sheesha smokers, however, that jurak smoking is not as dangerous as cigarette smoking because there is no tobacco in the mixture.The chemical composition of jurak smoke condensate has been analyzed [2], and of 142 chemical compounds detected, only 88 were found in the smoke condensate. These include alkenes and alkynes; alkaloids and other bases; and alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones. The polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons-the major carcinogenic agents in cigarette smoke-were not detected in jurak smoke condensate. However, El-Aaser et al [3] discovered 16 metals in jurak paste and jurak smoke condensate. It has also been found that, of 14.7 mg of metals contained in 1 gm of jurak paste, only 3.1 μg was transferred to the inhalant smoke. This indicates that the water in the sheesha reservoir does retain some of the organic and metallic inhalants by acting as a solvent and a condensation medium, and thus the carcinogenic effect of the metallic compounds in jurak smoke is reduced.In an assessment of the risk factors prevalent among Saudi citizens for smoking-related diseases, serum levels of carboxyhemoglobin among jurak smokers were found to be significantly higher than those in cigarette smokers and nonsmokers [4,5]. Zahran et al [4,5,] attributed this finding to the carbon monoxide produced from jurak and charcoal. In another study of the effect of sheesha smoke on animal models, the carboxyhemoglobin levels of sheesha-exposed rats were found to be significantly higher than those in normal control rats [6].We evaluated the long-term oral administration of jurak smoke condensate and its effect on mouse liver and

Tobacco and the Third World

“…In this issue of the Annals, there are three tobacco-use-related papers; two on cigarette-smoking habits in Riyadh and Amman [4,5] and the third on jurak smoking [6]. Taha et al [4] report on the smoking habits of 2264 male students at King Saud University in Riyadh.…”

“…The annual toll of premature deaths attributable to tobacco use will be approximately three million worldwide in the 1990s, and this will rise to ten million by the year 2025 [2]. While cigarette consumption is decreasing in the industrialized world by about 1% a year, in Asia and Latin America, it is exceeding the population growth by 7%, and in Africa by 18% [3].In this issue of the Annals, there are three tobacco-use-related papers; two on cigarette-smoking habits in Riyadh and Amman [4,5] and the third on jurak smoking [6]. Taha et al [4] report on the smoking habits of 2264 male students at King Saud University in Riyadh.…”

“…Both Taha and Awidi's study revealed a high smoking prevalence among students and the general population in Riyadh and Amman. The findings in these studies are alarming and indicate that, unless an active antismoking campaign is mounted, epidemics of smoking-related diseases may occur in the near future.The third study comes from Jeddah where Khoja et al [6] studied the effect of jurak smoke condensate on the activities of four enzymes in the mouse liver and intestine. The levels of these enzymes were significantly affected, indicating that the substance is toxic.…”

“…The third study comes from Jeddah where Khoja et al [6] studied the effect of jurak smoke condensate on the activities of four enzymes in the mouse liver and intestine. The levels of these enzymes were significantly affected, indicating that the substance is toxic.…”

Tobacco-induced changes to Porphyromonas gingivalis gene expression, phenotype and host-pathogen interactions.

“…Although gingipain expression was not altered in microarray data it is possible that the components found is CSE might alter their enzymatic activity. Toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke have an inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity of several host enzymes like alkaline phosphatase, gluoce-6-phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, and cholinesterase in mouse liver and small intestine (306).…”