Salivary metabolic pathway alterations in Brazilian electronic cigarette users

• Grant number: 24/20063-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Janete Dias Almeida
• Grantee: Janete Dias Almeida
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In recent years, the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) has increased. However, theirlong-term effects on oral health and saliva remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimedto evaluate the saliva of e-cig users and investigate possible biomarkers. Participants were dividedinto two groups: the Electronic Cigarette Group (EG)-25 regular and exclusive e-cig users-andControl Group (CG)-25 non-smokers and non-e-cig users, matched in sex and age to the EG. Theclinical analysis included the following parameters: age, sex, heart rate, oximetry, capillary bloodglucose, carbon monoxide (CO) concentration in exhaled air, and alcohol use disorder identificationtest (AUDIT). Qualitative and quantitative analyses of saliva included sialometry, viscosity, pH,and cotinine concentrations. Furthermore, the EG and CG salivary metabolomes were comparedusing gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Data were analyzed using theMann-Whitney test. The MetaboAnalyst 6.0 software was used for statistical analysis and biomarkerevaluation. The EG showed high means for exhaled CO concentration and AUDIT but lower meansfor oximetry and salivary viscosity. Furthermore, 10 metabolites (isoleucine, 2-hydroxyglutaric acid,3-phenyl-lactic acid, linoleic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 1,6-anhydroglucose, glucuronic acid, valine,stearic acid, and elaidic acid) were abundant in EG but absent in CG. It was concluded that e-cigusers had high rates of alcohol consumption and experienced significant impacts on their generalhealth, including increased cotinine and CO concentration in exhaled air, decreased oximetry, andlow salivary viscosity. Furthermore, they showed a notable increase in salivary metabolites, especiallythose related to inflammation, xenobiotic metabolism, and biomass-burning pathways. (AU)