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Evaluation and comparison of DNA alkylation and oxidative damage in e-cigarette and heated tobacco users

Morgil GK, Çok İ

Toxicology mechanisms and methods, 2025

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study, aimed to determine and compare DNA damage in e-cigarette and HTP (IQOS) users by assessing DNA-adducts, which are biomarkers of various DNA alkylation and oxidation.

METHODS: For the evaluation of DNA alkylation, N3-Ethyladenine (N3-EtA) and N3-Methyladenine (N3-MeA) adducts were used. DNA oxidation was assessed using, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine(8-OHdG). The urinary cotinine, N3-MeA, N3-EtA, and 8-OHdG concentrations of the cigarette smokers (n:39), e-cigarette users (n:28), IQOS users (n:20), passive smokers (n:32), and nonsmokers(n:41) who lived Ankara, Turkiye were determined using, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

RESULTS: In light of the detected 8-OHdG levels, e-cigarette (3.19 ng/g creatinine) and IQOS (4.38 ng/g creatinine) users had higher oxidative DNA damage than healthy nonsmokers (2.51 ng/g creatinine). Alkylated DNA-adducts were identified in the urine of e-cigarette (N3-MeA: 3.92 ng/g creatinine; N3-EtA: 0.23 ng/g creatinine) and IQOS (N3-MeA: 7.54 ng/g creatinine; N3-EtA: 0.29 ng/g creatinine) users. In the generation of N3-MeA adducts, a significant difference was found between IQOS users and e-cigarette users (p < 0.05). Also, DNA alkylation in flavored e-cigarette users (N3-MeA: 4.51 ng/g creatinine; N3-EtA: 0.27 ng/g creatinine) was higher than in non-flavored e-cigarette users (N3-MeA: 2.27 ng/g creatinine; N3-EtA: 0.06 ng/g creatinine). The highest cotinine levels were found in cigarette smokers…

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