E-cigarettes induce toxicological effects that can raise the cancer risk. The contribute of EPR radical trapping technique

E-cigarettes induce toxicological effects that can raise the cancer risk. The contribute of EPR radical probe technique Donatella Canistro1, Fabio Vivarelli1, Silvia Cirillo1, Andrea Sapone1, Moreno Paolini1, Paola Franchi2, Marco Lucarini2 1Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, I-40126 Bologna, Italy) 2Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” (University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 11, I-40126 Bologna, Italy) E-mail: paola.franchi@unibo.it Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are devices designed to deliver nicotine in a vaping solution rather than smoke and without tobacco combustion. Perceived as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, e-cigs are aggressively marketed as lifestyle-choice consumables, thanks to few restrictions and a lack of regulatory guidelines. Despite the burgeoning worldwide consumption of e-cigs, their safety remains largely unproven and it is unknown whether these devices cause in vivo toxicological effects that could contribute to cancer. Here we illustrate the contribute of EPR radical probe technique in a study where it was possible to demonstrate the co-mutagenic and cancer-initiating effects of e-cig vapour in a rat lung model. It was found that e-cig have a powerful booster effect on phase-I carcinogen-bioactivating enzymes, and increase oxygen free radical production and DNA oxidation. We are able to indirectly evaluate the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lungs tissues of exposed rats, by using an appropriate hydroxylamine that in the presence of transient radical species gives rise to a persistent nitroxide radical. (see Scheme 1) Scheme 1 We found a significant increase of radical species production in samples of lungs tissues from exposed rats compared to samples from non-exposed animals. [1] Canistro, D.; Vivarelli, F.; Cirillo, S.; Babot Marquillas, C.; Buschini, A.; Lazzaretti, M.;Marchi, L.; Cardenia, V.; Rodriguez-Estrada, M.T.; Lodovici, M.; Cipriani, C.; Lorenzini, A.; Croco, E.; Marchionni, S.; Franchi, P.; Lucarini, M.; Longo, V.; Della Croce, C.M.; Vornoli, A.; Colacci, A.; Vaccari, M.; Sapone, A.; Paolini, M. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 2017, DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-02317-8 [2] Vivarelli, F.; Canistro, D.; Franchi, P.; Sapone, A.; Vornoli, A.; Della Croce, C.; Lucarini, M.; Paolini, M. Life Sciences, 2016, 145, 166-173. DOI:10.1016/j.lfs.2015.12.033 [3] Fabbri, R.; Sapone, A.; Paolini, M.; Vivarelli, F.; Franchi, P.; Lucarini, M.; Pasquinelli, G.; Vicenti, R.; Macciocca, M.; Venturoli, S.; Canistro, D. Hystology and Hystopatology, 2015, 30, 725-730 DOI: 10.14670/HH-30.725