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Pulmonary Abnormalities in Young, Light-Use Waterpipe (Hookah) Smokers
Yael Strulovici-Barel1, Renat Shaykhiev1, Jacqueline Salit1
11 Department of Genetic Medicine.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|March 24, 2016
Summary
Even light waterpipe (hookah) smoking causes lung damage. This study found young waterpipe smokers had more cough, lower lung function, and abnormal lung cells and molecules compared to non-smokers.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Waterpipe (hookah) smoking is increasingly popular globally, yet its health effects remain under-researched.
- Limited data exists on the specific impacts of waterpipe use on lung health, with no federal regulations in place.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical and biological effects of light-use waterpipe smoking on the human lung.
- To compare young, light-use waterpipe-only smokers with lifelong non-smokers.
Main Methods:
- Assessed clinical parameters: cough, sputum, lung function, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).
- Analyzed biological markers: lung epithelial lining fluid metabolome, small airway epithelial (SAE) cell differential and transcriptome, alveolar macrophage transcriptome, and plasma apoptotic endothelial cell microparticles.
Main Results:
- Waterpipe smokers reported more cough and sputum and had lower lung diffusing capacity.
- Abnormalities were observed in lung epithelial lining fluid metabolome, SAE cell proportions and transcriptomes, alveolar macrophage transcriptomes, and elevated apoptotic endothelial cell microparticles.
Conclusions:
- Limited waterpipe smoking significantly impacts multiple lung parameters, affecting lung biology and health.
- Findings suggest initiating large epidemiological studies to further investigate the harmful effects of waterpipe smoking.
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