Nigliaccio Salvatore, Fontana Davide Alessio, Cacioppo Antonino, Curcio Luciano, Cumbo Enzo, Scardina Giuseppe Alessandro, Messina Pietro
Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
Biology (Basel). 2025 Feb 6;14(2):163. doi: 10.3390/biology14020163.
The habit of smoking in its various forms represents a significant public health concern due to its wide range of pathological effects, included the oral cavity. In recent years, alternatives to traditional cigarettes, such as heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, have gained popularity and are often marketed as potentially less harmful options. This study seeks to evaluate and compare the morphometric characteristics of oral mucosal capillaries in individuals who consume combusted tobacco, heated tobacco, vaporized liquid, and non-smokers. Using videocapillaroscopy, we assessed both parametric and non-parametric data from 60 patients, divided into four groups according to their smoking habits. The analysis revealed significant differences in capillary morphology among the groups. Users of combusted tobacco exhibited pronounced reductions in capillary diameter, alongside increased tortuosity and the presence of microaneurysms. These alterations are indicative of chronic inflammation and vasoconstriction, likely driven by exposure to nicotine and the high temperatures associated with combustion. Conversely, users of heated tobacco and vaporized liquid exhibited comparatively fewer vascular abnormalities, although angiogenic effects attributable to nicotine were still observable. These findings suggest that alternative tobacco products may have a comparatively lesser impact on the oral microcirculation when compared to traditional smoking. However, the potential long-term effects of these products remain unclear. Further longitudinal research is required to fully understand the risks associated with prolonged use of heated tobacco and electronic cigarettes.
吸烟的各种形式因其广泛的病理影响，包括对口腔的影响，已成为一个重大的公共卫生问题。近年来，传统香烟的替代品，如加热烟草制品和电子烟，越来越受欢迎，并且经常被宣传为潜在危害较小的选择。本研究旨在评估和比较吸食燃烧烟草、加热烟草、汽化液体者以及不吸烟者口腔黏膜毛细血管的形态特征。我们使用视频毛细血管镜检查法，对60名患者的参数和非参数数据进行了评估，这些患者根据吸烟习惯分为四组。分析结果显示，各组之间毛细血管形态存在显著差异。吸食燃烧烟草者的毛细血管直径明显减小，同时迂曲度增加且出现微动脉瘤。这些改变表明存在慢性炎症和血管收缩，可能是由于接触尼古丁以及与燃烧相关的高温所致。相反，加热烟草和汽化液体使用者的血管异常相对较少，不过尼古丁所致的血管生成效应仍然可以观察到。这些发现表明，与传统吸烟相比，替代烟草产品对口腔微循环的影响可能相对较小。然而，这些产品的潜在长期影响仍不明确。需要进一步开展纵向研究，以充分了解长期使用加热烟草和电子烟所带来的风险。
