Nicotine Exerts Cytotoxic Effects in a Panel of Healthy Cell Lines and Strong Irritating Potential on Blood Vessels

Doina Chioran, Adrian Sitaru, Ioana Macasoi, Iulia Pinzaru, Cristian Andrei Sarau, Cristina Dehelean, Stefania Dinu, Camelia Szuhanek, Irina Nicoleta Zetu, Andra Cristine Serafin, Mircea Rivis, Marioara Poenaru and Razvan Dragoi
Additional contact information
Doina Chioran: Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Adrian Sitaru: Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Ioana Macasoi: Departament of Toxicology and Drug Industry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Iulia Pinzaru: Departament of Toxicology and Drug Industry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Cristian Andrei Sarau: Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Cristina Dehelean: Departament of Toxicology and Drug Industry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Stefania Dinu: Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Camelia Szuhanek: Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Irina Nicoleta Zetu: Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iasi, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Andra Cristine Serafin: Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Mircea Rivis: Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Marioara Poenaru: Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Razvan Dragoi: Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: The use of tobacco products is a major global public health issue, as it is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. In addition, nicotine (NIC) is a key component of electronic and conventional cigarettes. Although nicotine’s addictive potential is well known, its health effects are not entirely understood. Thus, the main objective of the present study was to evaluate its toxicological profile both in vitro, at the level of three healthy cell lines, and in ovo, at the level of the chorioallantoic membrane. Five different concentrations of nicotine were used in keratinocytes, cardiomyocytes, and hepatocytes for the purpose of evaluating cell viability, cell morphology, and its impact on nuclei. Additionally, the hen’s egg test on the chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) method was used to assess the biocompatibility and irritant potential of the chorioallantoic membrane. Across all cell lines studied, nicotine was proven to be significantly damaging to cell viability, with the highest concentration tested resulting in less than 2% viable cells. Moreover, the morphology of cells changed dramatically, with alterations in their shape and confluence. Nicotine-induced cell death appears to be apoptotic, based on its impact on the nucleus. In addition, nicotine was also found to have a very strong irritating effect on the chorioallantoic membrane. In conclusion, nicotine has an extremely strong toxicological profile, as demonstrated by the drastic reduction of cell viability and the induction of morphological changes and nuclear alterations associated with cellular apoptosis. Additionally, the HET-CAM method led to the observation of a strong irritating effect associated with nicotine.

Keywords: nicotine; electronic cigarettes; HET-CAM assay; in vitro toxicity; cytotoxicity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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