Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels in the Saliva of Cigarette and E-Cigarette Smokers (Vapers): a Comparative analysis.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study that compares the lactate dehydrogenase (LDh) enzyme levels in the saliva of smokers, vapers, and non-smokers/non-vapers. LDh is a cytoplasmic enzyme that is present in cells of the human body, and its activity has been associated with cell damage or cell death. The study aims to assess any damage caused by smoking and vaping by measuring salivary LDh activity levels.

Key Points:

* The study recruited 88 subjects, categorized into three groups: control (non-smokers/non-vapers), smokers, and vapers.
* Saliva samples were collected from each subject, and salivary LDh enzyme activity levels were measured with a commercially available LDh Colorimetric assay Kit.
* The mean salivary LDh activity levels for vapers, smokers, and control groups were 35.15 ± 24.34 mU/ml, 30.82 ± 20.73 mU/ml, and 21.45 ± 15.30 mU/ml, respectively.
* The salivary LDh activity levels of smoker and vaper groups were significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.031; 0.017).
* There was no significant difference of salivary LDh activity level in vapers when compared with smokers (p= 0.234).
* The study suggests that vaping has detrimental effects on oral tissues, similar to smoking.
* Exposure to e-cigarettes may increase the risk of oral cancer and other oral health issues.

Main Message:
The study provides evidence that vaping has similar detrimental effects on oral tissues as smoking, as measured by salivary LDh enzyme activity levels. The study highlights the need for further research on the potential health risks associated with vaping and the importance of including vaping as a risk factor for oral health issues. It also underscores the importance of educating the public about the potential health risks of vaping, particularly among young people.

Pandarathodiyil aK, Ramanathan a, Garg R, et al. Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels in the Saliva of Cigarette and E-Cigarette Smokers (Vapers): a Comparative analysis. asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : aPJCP. 2021;22(10):3227-3235. doi:10.31557/aPJCP.2021.22.10.3227