Chronic smokeless tobacco consumption contributes to the development of renal diseases in the human male volunteers

Abstract

Smokeless tobacco may able to induce microalbuminuria. The present study investigates the relation between nicotine and cotinine with renal function in gutkha and khaini users. Methods: The levels of nicotine and cotinine were estimated by HPLC methods and other urine variables were detected by spectrophotometric methods. Current smokeless tobacco users have shown that significantly elevated levels of nicotine, cotinine, and epinephrine excretion in the urine than non-tobacco users. Renal function was assessed by glomerular filtration rate (GFR), levels of urea, and creatinine. Among the kidney function measures that we examined, microalbuminuria, decreased glomerular filtration rate, and creatinine clearance were found associated with gutkha and khaini users. Significantly decreased proteinuria, urea and increased levels of uric acid and creatinine excretion with the concomitant increase in plasma total proteins, urea, and decreased uric acid levels were observed in the group I and group II users compared to group III users. The products of smokeless tobacco are regarded as good predictors of assessing the free radical levels in the cells. The active markers of nitroxidative stress have been elevated progressively with the uptake of nicotine and exposure. The nicotine and cotinine were significantly positive correlated with renal markers (creatinine, urea, and GFR), nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and epinephrine. Increased excretion of nicotine and epinephrine indicated that the renal related complications may occur. The smokeless tobacco products were significantly and directly proportional to the levels of kidney dysfunction.