International Journal of Advances in Nephrology Research

The widespread use of water pipe tobacco (WPT) has raised concerns regarding potential health risks associated with inhalation of tobacco smoke and its constituents, including polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study evaluated the effect of water pipe tobacco smoke on renal and hepatic biomarkers in blood serum of female albino rats. Fifteen (15) female albino rats weighing between 100g to 150g were used for the experiment and randomized into three groups of five animals each. Group 1 served as the control which was animals not exposed to water pipe tobacco (shisha) smoke, while group 2 and 3 were animals exposed to water pipe tobacco smoke at the duration of 30 seconds and 50 seconds per cycle for 15 minutes respectively for a period of 13 days. All exposures of the animals to the water pipe tobacco smoke were conducted in an enclosed improvised glass inhalation chamber coupled to a vacuum pump and water pipe tobacco (shisha) pot to generate the smoke. Blood serum samples collected were subjected to various biochemical assays to determine renal and hepatic biomarkers, heavy metals including PAHs. Results revealed gradual to significant dose-dependent alterations in both hepatic and renal biomarkers in the shisha-exposed groups accompanied by evident electrolyte imbalance. Oxidative stress markers showed a decreased superoxide dismutase activity and increased malondialdehyde levels in the exposed groups. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals were observed and several components of PAHs detected at varying concentrations. Generally, these findings indicate that the exposure to water pipe tobacco smoke adversely affects renal and hepatic functions and poses a significant health risk. The observed alteration in the hepatic and renal biomarkers together with accumulation of heavy metals and PAHs may be attributed to the toxic mixture of constituents present in the water pipe tobacco smoke.