要約

The effect of smokeless tobacco (gutkha) was investigated by treating male and female Swiss Albino mice with an aqueous extract of smokeless tobacco (AEST). AEST was administered at a dose of 25 mg kg^-1 body weight per day for different time periods (6, 12, 16, and 24 weeks), and control animals were provided only drinking water without AEST for the same period. Control and AEST-treated mice were observed for different oxidative stress parameters, nitric oxide (NO) release, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) release, and they were evaluated for alterations in tumor suppressor and DNA repair responses in the liver and spleen. Both male and female mice treated with AEST showed significant increase in lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and NO and MPO release in the liver and spleen compared to age- and gender-matched controls. The significant decline in tumor suppressor p53 protein levels, likely mediated by concomitantly upregulated levels of Mdm2, was observed. We also observed a significant decline in the levels of DNA repair proteins Brca2 and Ape-1 compared to the respective controls. Thus, AEST induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and significantly lowers tumor suppressor and DNA repair responses. These factors may work in conjunction to increase the risk for certain diseases, including cancer.