Comparison of Conventional Cigarette and Electronic Cigarettes on P53, PTEN, and VEGF Genes Expression in Rat Kidney

 Various genetic alterations and gene expression changes are involved in the pathogenesis of kidney tumours. The P53, PTEN, and VEGF gene expression pattern in rat kidney tissue exposed to conventional cigarettes and e-cigs was evaluated. In the study, 60 Wistar rats were categorized into three groups (10): no smoke, c-cig smoke, and e-cig smoke. Three cigarette butts used daily with the suction device were exposed for 40 minutes. After four months, kidney tissue was removed, tissue RNA was extracted, cDNA was made, and changes in mRNA expression of genes were evaluated by real-time PCR. Moreover, kidney biopsies were assessed for histopathological changes. E-cig smoke might contribute to kidney cancer more than C-cigarette through upregulating VEGF and downregulating PTEN and P53 (P-value >0.05). The effect of e-cigarettes in female rats was more significant than in male rats. The histopathological investigation revealed decreased glomerular space in e-cig male rats, increased tubular necrosis in e-cig, Interstitial infiltration in c-cig, and Hyperemia in c-cig in female rats were reported. Since E-cigarette smoke displayed overexpressed VEGF and down-expressed PTEN and P53 expression than C-cigarette, it has a higher potential for kidney carcinogenesis.