Far from having adverse effects limited to the mouth, smokeless tobacco affects the normal function of a key family of enzymes found in almost every organ in the body, according to the first report on the topic in ACS’ monthly journal Chemical Research in Toxicology. The enzymes play important roles in production of hormones, including the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone; production of cholesterol and vitamin D; and help the body breakdown prescription drugs and potentially toxic substances. Smokeless tobacco also damages genetic material in the liver, kidney and lungs.
Krishan Khanduja and colleagues note widespread recognition of smokeless tobacco’s harmful effects on the mouth, which include an increased risk of gum disease and oral cancer. The potential carcinogens and other chemicals in chewing tobacco and other smokeless products are absorbed into the blood and travel throughout the body. However, scientists have little information on smokeless tobacco’s effects on other parts of the body. To fill that knowledge gap, the scientists evaluated changes in enzymes and genetic material in laboratory rats using extracts of smokeless tobacco.
In addition to damage to the genetic material DNA, they found that smokeless tobacco extracts alter the function of the so-called CYP-450 family of enzymes. “These products are used around the world but are most common in Northern Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean region,” the report says. “Most of the users seem to be unaware of the harmful health effects and, therefore, use smokeless tobacco to ‘treat’ toothaches, headaches, and stomachaches. This false impression only promotes tobacco use among youth. The use of smokeless tobacco and its new products is increasing not only among men but also among children, teenagers, women, and immigrants of South Asian origin and medical and dental students.”
ARTICLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Involvement of Various Molecular Events in Cellular Injury Induced by Smokeless Tobacco”
DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT ARTICLE
http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/tx900458x
CONTACT:
Krishan L. Khanduja, Ph.D.
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
Chandigarh, India
Phone: +91-172-2755246
Fax: +91-172-2744401
E-mail: [email protected]
The author knows what he’s talking about, I can safely assume it. I could not abide but save the blog for in store viewpoint. I reference this to everyone who desires to dwell into this topic- smokeless tobacco snus. It makes you feel allied to the author in means more than one. Loved the ready examples he had so far provided. Real original arrange and unique articles on this blog, like it. The resolution of images in the site is impeccable. The titles are so skillful written, it demands you to read. You get to understand something fresh each and every day here.
Excellent posts. Any who desires to keep track on smokeless tobacco must subscribe to this blog. I enjoy how the site offers the greatest information on smokeless tobacco use. The presentation in this site is clear and not clumsy. The site’s author holds on the quality in each post. I like the positivity I get on this site. The articles titles makes you want to read more.