A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF E-CIGARETTE AND CONVENTIONAL SMOKING -INDUCED PHYSIOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN ALBINO MICE

Abstract

The rising use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as alternatives to conventional tobacco products has prompted concerns regarding their systemic health impacts. This study aimed to assess and compare the physiological and histopathological effects of e-cigarette (T1) and conventional cigarette (T2) exposure in mice. The study divided adult mice into a control group and two smoking exposure groups, T1 and T2. Research conducted for nine weeks included testing hematological, metabolic, and hormonal parameters, along with histological parameters. In the blood, there was less hemoglobin in both treated groups (6.67±0.356 in T1 and 5.982±0.059 in T2 vs. 6.81±0.09 in controls), but more white blood cells in the T1 group compared to both control and T2 group. The platelet count was also higher in T1 (552.4±5.14) compared to T2 group (325.89±0.26). The testosterone level was higher in T2; however, glucose levels rose in both groups but showed a larger increase in T1. Both e-smoking and conventional smoking exposures influenced estrogen level since it elevated in T1 and diminished in T2. Histological observations showed that both groups of exposed mice had changes in the myocardium, glomerulosclerosis, hepatocellular ballooning, and emphysematous changes. However, the structural problems were worse in conventional smoking (T2 group). Exposure to cigarettes caused continuous weight reduction that affected males to a greater extent among the T1 and T2 groups. Research indicates that both vaping and conventional smoking alter the body; however, e-cigarettes lead to greater disruption of immune functions and hormonal systems than traditional cigarettes and cause more severe structural and blood-related harm