Aqueous Extract Of Tobacco Research Articles

Brain Glucose Metabolism as a Readout of the Central Nervous System Impact of Cigarette Smoke Exposure and Withdrawal and the Effects of NFL-101, as an Immune-Based Drug Candidate for Smoking Cessation Therapy.

Neuroimaging biomarkers are needed to investigate the impact of smoking withdrawal on brain function. NFL-101 is a denicotinized aqueous extract of tobacco leaves currently investigated as an immune-based smoking cessation therapy in humans. However, the immune response to NFL-101 and its ability to induce significant changes in brain function remain to be demonstrated. Brain glucose metabolism was investigated using [18F]fluoro-deoxy-glucose ([18F]FDG) PET imaging in a mouse model of cigarette smoke exposure (CSE, 4-week whole-body inhalation, twice daily). Compared with control animals, the relative uptake of [18F]FDG in CSE mice was decreased in the thalamus and brain stem (p < 0.001, n = 14 per group) and increased in the hippocampus, cortex, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb (p < 0.001). NFL-101 induced a humoral immune response (specific IgGs) in mice and activated human natural-killer lymphocytes in vitro. In CSE mice, but not in control mice, single-dose NFL-101 significantly increased [18F]FDG uptake in the thalamus (p < 0.01), thus restoring normal brain glucose metabolism after 2-day withdrawal in this nicotinic receptor-rich region. In tobacco research, [18F]FDG PET imaging provides a quantitative method to evaluate changes in the brain function associated with the withdrawal phase. This method also showed the CNS effects of NFL-101, with translational perspectives for future clinical evaluation in smokers.

Exposure to tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) extract and cigarette smoke induces hematological and histopathological alterations in Swiss albino mice

Tobacco smoking is a widely practiced recreational activity and is associated with numerous health risks. Hence, the present study was conducted on Swiss albino mice to assess the impact of aqueous extract of tobacco and cigarette smoke on behavioral, hematological, and histopathological parameters of the lungs, liver, and kidney. The mice were divided into Control (Cont), Tobacco nicotiana (TN), and Cigarette smoke (CS) groups (n=6). TN group received aqueous tobacco orally at a dose of 5ml/kg BW for 21 days, whereas CS group was exposed to inhalational commercial cigarette smoke for the same duration. On day 22, blood samples and visceral organs were collected to evaluate hematological (TEC, TLC, Hb%) and histopathological parameters from euthanized mice. The TEC values were significantly elevated (P&lt;0.05) in both groups. In contrast to the control group, the TLC value was lower in the CS group (P&gt;0.05) than in the TN group, but the mean Hb% values showed no significant changes. Lower body weight, aggressive behavior, and weakness were observed in the treated groups. Histopathologically, the lung revealed emphysematous changes, alveolar septal thickening, inflammatory cells infiltration, congestion, and thrombus formation in pulmonary artery. Liver exhibited hepatocyte degeneration with karyomegaly and karyorrhexis, derangement of hepatic cords and sinusoids with central vein congestion. Derangement of renal tubules, edema, and glomerular degeneration observed in the kidney. These observations lead us to postulate that tobacco and cigarette smoke exert detrimental effects on the structure of some vital organs in the body after direct or indirect uptake.

Smokeless Tobacco Harbors Bacteria Involved in Biofilm Formation as Well as Salt and Heavy Metal Tolerance Activity.

In our previous culture-independent study on smokeless tobacco products, we have observed a strong positive correlation between several bacteria and genes involved in nitrate/nitrite reduction, biofilm formation, and pro-inflammation. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to analyze the inhabitant bacterial population of the Indian ST products for assessing the health-associated risk attributes using culture-dependent approach. Traditional cultivation approaches recovered several bacterial isolates from commercial ST products on different culture media. A high colony formation unit (CFU) count was observed that ranged from 173 × 104 to 630.4 × 105 per gram of ST products. Of the 74 randomly selected and distinct bacterial isolates, 17 isolates showed a significantly enhanced growth (p-value < 0.05) in the presence of the aqueous tobacco extract. On biochemical characterization, these bacteria were identified as the member of Bacillus, Enterobacter, Micrococcus, Providencia, Serratia, Pantoea, Proteus, and Pseudomonas. Most of these bacteria also exhibited biofilm-forming activity, where eight bacterial isolates were identified for strong biofilm-forming action. 16S rRNA-based molecular characterization of these bacteria identified them as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus paralicheniformis, Enterobacter sp., Serratia marcescens, Pantoea anthophila, and Enterobacter cloacae. Moreover, these bacteria also exhibited the potential to withstand high salt and heavy metal concentrations. The findings demonstrate that Indian ST products are heavily populated with wide bacterial species exhibiting potential in biofilm formation, heavy metal resistance, and salt tolerance.

Insecticidal Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Plant Origin on Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

The spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) is considered the main and most limiting pest of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.), and has caused economic losses to Brazilian farmers. In this study, we evaluated the insecticidal effects of aqueous extracts of garlic, rue, cinnamon, lemongrass, clove, star anise, eucalyptus, tobacco, and thyme on M. spectabilis nymphs. The results indicated that the tobacco extract was the most effective among all extracts, as it reached a mortality of 76%. The next most effective was star anise extract and cinnamon extract was the least effective. In the second stage of tests, we evaluated the insecticidal potential of five concentrations of tobacco extract. The values of LD50 and LD90 calculated for aqueous tobacco extract were, respectively, 11.5% and 33.3% 24 h after application, and 9.2% and 29.5% 48 h after application. We also evaluated different methods of extraction, through comparative tests, and the methods of infusion and decoction proved to be equivalent to those of the method of extraction by ultrasound. We conclude that among the nine aqueous plant extracts tested, tobacco extract was the only one recommended against M. spectabilis, as it showed insecticidal activity, with better results at a concentration of 25%, and with extraction by infusion and decoction.

Ensemble Modelling for Early Breast Cancer Prediction from Diet and Lifestyle

The present work aims to compare and evaluate the performance of five ensemble models in predicting breast cancer using 15 diet and lifestyle factors among the Mizo women. The dataset for developing ensemble learning models contains 148 breast cancer cases and 173 healthy individuals. Learning curves are constructed for five classifiers (AdaBoost, Gradient Boost, extra trees, bagging, and random forest) to find the best fit models for the present dataset. The performances of models are evaluated using 10-fold cross validation (CV), leave one out cross validation (LOOCV), and accuracy. Extra trees classifier outperformed other four ensemble classifiers with an accuracy of 96.3% and 95.5% using LOOCV and CV, respectively. The prediction accuracies of above-two cross validation methods have shown a Pearson correlation index of 97.45% which have strengthened the performances of the ensemble models. Thus, the lack of physical activity, less intake of fruits, vegetables, and water, high consumption of saum (fermented pork fat), smoked meat and vegetables, addiction of chewing pan (beetle leaves with arcane nut), using smokeless tobacco product: sahadh, and tuibur (aqueous tobacco extract) are the possible factors to cause breast cancer in Mizo population.

Aqueous extract of tobacco induces mitochondrial potential dependent cell death and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gingival epithelial cells.

Smokeless tobacco habits are detrimental to oral health. A correlation between tobacco use and local epithelial tissue damage exists. Yet, the underlying cellular mechanism is not precisely characterized. This study assessed the dose-dependent action of Smokeless tobacco extract on gingival epithelial cells. Gingival tissue was taken from 5 healthy donors. Gingival epithelial cells were isolated by an enzymatic method and cultured up to passage 2. The cultured cells were treated with smokeless tobacco extract at 10%, 25%, 50%, and 75% volume concentration. After 48 h of incubation, MTT assay, Annexin V/PI assay, and DiIC1(5) assay were used to evaluate viability, apoptosis, and mitochondrial potential of the cells. RT-qPCR was used to determine the expression of BAX, BCL2, ECAD, NCAD, and TWIST. The Smokeless tobacco extract reduced cell viability by disrupting the mitochondrial potential and inducing apoptosis. Further, the Smokeless tobacco extract induced a dose-dependent epithelial-mesenchymal-transition in gingival epithelial cells. Apoptotic cellular death caused by tobacco extract on the gingival epithelial system was dependant on the mitochondrial potential of the cell. The results demonstrate that smokeless tobacco causes detrimental metabolic alterations of the periodontium.Featured applicationThis study elucidates the mechanism by which Smokeless tobacco products cause cellular damage to the gingival epithelium. The use of Smokeless tobacco products can lead to major cellular and surface changes in the gingiva and its appearance. The consequences of these changes are not limited to oral cancer but also increases a person’s risk for dental and periodontal disease.

Sub-acute oral toxicity study of aqueous extract of tobacco leaves (Nicotiana tabacum L.) on lipid profile, the tissue, and serum of the liver and kidney of male Wistar rats

Context Tobacco consumption may pose a very serious threat to the physiological state of the body; yet, fewer records have been documented in that regard. Objective We investigated the impact of aqueous extract of tobacco leaves on the lipid profile, the tissue, and serum levels of the liver and kidney of male Wister rats. Materials and methods Rats (n = 52; weight = 33 − 47 g; ∼ 2½ weeks old) were acclimatised for 7 days and administered aqueous extract of tobacco leaves at 100, 200, 400, 0 mg/kg of body weight (to group A, B, C, D) for 30 days. Results Compared with the control group, the kidney tissue and serum (i.e., urea and creatinine) were not influenced, in contrast, indices of the liver such as AST, ALT, and ALP, dose-dependently increased. Changes such as coagulative necrosis resulted in the infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells and the vacuolar degeneration of the liver. Beside the reduction in the high-density lipoprotein of the rats, there was an increase in the concentration of triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and the total cholesterol. Conclusion Thus, extract of tobacco leaves can greatly influence the body lipid profile, beside the serum and tissues of the liver.

The Consequence of Aqueous Extract of Tobacco Leaves (Nicotiana tabacum. L) on Feed Intake, Body Mass, and Hematological Indices of Male Wistar Rats fed under Equal Environmental Conditions

Objective While the dangers of consuming tobacco by smoking has been of concern, the hazardous effect of other forms of tobacco consumption (in smokeless form) on health indices are less well explored. In this paper, we explored the effect of different doses of aqueous extract of tobacco leaves on feed intake, body mass, and hematological indices of male Wistar rats under equal environmental conditions. Method Using an oral route of administration, the rats (n = 24; w = 65–85 g; 2–3 weeks old) were administered at different doses of 100, 200, 400, 0 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) per day to group A, B, C, and D for 42 days, after phytochemical and acute toxicity testing of the tobacco leaves. Results Compared to the negative control group (D), packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cells, and lymphocytes reduced dose-dependently in contrast to the white blood cells, neutrophils, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular volume. As body mass and feed intake in relation to the different doses of aqueous extract of tobacco leaves reduced significantly (p < 0.05), the reverse was observed for body mass and feed intake in relation to room temperature. Conclusions By influencing hematological indices, feed intake, and body mass, the extract of tobacco leaves can be hazardous to health. However, to assess safety and to come up with a conscious conclusion, future studies should explore the effect of the extract on organs histopathology, biochemical parameters, and lipid profile of the body.

Direct-acting DNA ethylating agents associated with tobacco use primarily originate from the tobacco itself, not combustion

Unburnt tobacco and tobacco smoke contain a variety of carcinogens, exposure to which are causally associated with the incidence of several human cancers. Herein, we used isotope-dilution LC–MS/MS for the quantification of alkylated purines in DNA, following in vitro exposure to aqueous extracts of tobacco itself, and tobacco smoke. Our results demonstrated the presence of direct-acting ethylating agent(s) in unburnt tobacco, which 4.0–6.3 times exceeded that in the particulate phase of sidestream cigarette smoke and 6.8–8.9 times exceeded that in mainstream smoke. Interestingly, particulate phase of sidestream cigarette smoke exhibited higher ethylating potency than that in mainstream smoke. This finding refutes the previous assumptions that the ethylating agent(s) associated with smoking, are derived from cigarette smoke. Indeed, our data show that combustion of tobacco actually decreases the ethylating potency of tobacco. Although the identity of this agent(s) remains unknown, our data suggest that it is highly hydrophilic, and hence likely to be easily extracted by saliva. This would allow intimate contact with the tissues of the oropharyngeal cavity. Taken together, these results have profound implications for tobacco use, in particular for tobacco chewers and passive smokers, whose exposure to ethylating agent(s) is greater than previously thought.

High accumulation in tobacco seeds of hemagglutinin antigen from avian (H5N1) influenza.

Tobacco seeds can be used as a cost effective system for production of recombinant vaccines. Avian influenza is an important respiratory pathogen that causes a high degree of mortality and becomes a serious threat for the poultry industry. A safe vaccine against avian flu produced at low cost could help to prevent future outbreaks. We have genetically engineered tobacco plants to express extracellular domain of hemagglutinin protein from H5N1 avian influenza virus as an inexpensive alternative for production purposes. Two regulatory sequences of seed storage protein genes from Phaseolus vulgaris L. were used to direct the expression, yielding 3.0mg of the viral antigen per g of seeds. The production and stability of seed-produced recombinant HA protein was characterized by different molecular techniques. The aqueous extract of tobacco seed proteins was used for subcutaneous immunization of chickens, which developed antibodies that inhibited the agglutination of erythrocytes after the second application of the antigen. The feasibility of using tobacco seeds as a vaccine carrier is discussed.

Toxicological evaluation of smokeless tobacco: 2-year chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity feeding study in Wistar Han rats

A comprehensive 2-year oral chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study was conducted with smokeless tobacco using modern toxicological test methods and well-accepted standards. The study included a 1-year interim subgroup to assess toxicity at that intermediate time point. Test groups consisted of a tobacco blend (B) used in snus, and an aqueous tobacco extract of that tobacco blend (E) administered at 0.2, 2, or 5mgnicotine/kg body weight/day via dosed feed to male and female Wistar Han rats. The dosages were selected to simulate potential exposure in humans ingesting smokeless tobacco or an aqueous extract of smokeless tobacco (the latter intended to simulate a snus extract, to enable bridging these data to snus epidemiology data). The following endpoints were evaluated: clinical observations, body weights, feed consumption (FC), ophthalmic exams, toxicokinetics, clinical pathology, gross pathology, and histopathology. During the 2-year study, clear treatment-related, dose-responsive effects included: (1) increases in plasma nicotine and cotinine (indicating that animals were appropriately exposed to levels relevant to human exposure) and (2) decreases in body weights with some alterations in FC. At the 2-year time point, two tumor types (in the highest B doses) displayed statistically significantly increased incidence trends vs. controls: (1) uterine carcinoma in females and (2) epididymal mesothelioma in males. Three tumor types displayed statistically significantly decreased incidence trends: (1) mammary gland adenomas in females, (2) skin basal cell carcinomas in females, and (3) thyroid follicular cell adenomas in males. These increases (and decreases) in tumor trends were interpreted as not being treatment-related because: (1) there were no preneoplastic or related non-neoplastic histopathological findings in the treated rats at the 1-year or 2-year time points to suggest that any of these neoplastic findings were treatment-related and (2) the tumor morphologies and incidences were generally within the expected range of historical controls for Wistar Han rats. Findings from this study indicate that chronic exposure of male and female Wistar Han rats to either a tobacco blend used in snus, or a tobacco extract of that blend does not lead to increased toxicity or carcinogenicity, based on the specified outcomes measured.

Hierarchical functionalized MCM-22 zeolite for trapping tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in solution

To enable zeolite to trap bulky environment pollutants such as tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), we tailored the porous structure of MCM-22 zeolite by desilication to obtain a sample with mesopores centered 3.5 nm, in order to promote the mass transport. The meso-MCM-22 was further functionalized with –SO 3H group to enhance the efficiency in adsorption of TSNAs. The composites were characterized by XRD and BET methods, and their adsorptive function was assessed in both liquid adsorption of N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and the adsorption of TSNAs in aqueous tobacco-extract solution. Grafting –SO 3H group on alkaline-treated MCM-22 significantly elevated the adsorption toward nitrosamines, and the resulting composite could reduce above 70% of NNN in dichloromethane solution or 54% of TSNAs in tobacco-extract solution.

Using "Basic Principles" To Understand Complex Science: Nicotine Smoke Chemistry and Literature Analogies

The Henderson–Hasselbalch equation calculates the equilibrium distribution of 50:50 for nicotine in its nonprotonated (free base form), relative to its monoprotonated form, at pH of 8 in dilute aqueous solution. This ratio has then been used in the literature to predict the effect of ammonia compounds in tobacco and in smoke on nicotine pyrolysis and smoke chemistry. Experiments demonstrate that neither the thermal chemistry of tobacco alkaloids nor the transfer of nicotine from tobacco to smoke can be explained by the position of the nonprotonated versus monoprotonated form equilibrium in aqueous extracts of tobacco. The high thermal stability of nicotine in air allows nicotine salts to be converted to nonprotonated nicotine and volatilize during heating prior to any substantial decomposition of the nicotine moiety. In contrast, cocaine hydrochloride is thermally unstable and will rapidly decompose upon heating; cocaine hydrochloride must first be converted to its nonprotonated form prior to heating and ...

A comparison of effectiveness of plant-based and synthetic insecticides in the field management of pod and storage pests of cowpea

Optimal cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) yields in Uganda are constrained by a complex of insect pests that attack and damage the crop both in the field and in storage. Insecticide application is one management option that can substantially reduce yield losses associated with these insect pest infestations. This study evaluated the effectiveness of two synthetic insecticides (cypermenthrin and fenitrothion) and three plant-based insecticides (aqueous extracts of tobacco, tagetes and tephrosia) for the control of Callosobruchus spp. field infestation, damage by pod flies, pod borers, and pod suckers. Whenever pest populations of pod flies, pod borers and pod bugs were high, cowpea sprayed with insecticides registered significantly lower damage than the unsprayed cowpea, with minor differences among the insecticides efficacy. Insecticide application did not significantly ( P > 0.05 ) reduce Callosobruchus spp. field infestation except during the first season of 2003. Damage by insect pests contributed to poor seed germination.

Potent suppressive effect of green tea polyphenols on tobacco-induced mutagenicity

Antimutagenic activity of green tea (Camellia sinensis) was studied using Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA 102) (Ames test). Aqueous tobacco extract was found to be mutagenic to S. typhimurium TA 102 at concentration of 50 mg/plate. Green tea polyphenols was found to inhibit the mutagenicity of tobacco in a concentration-dependent manner. Concentrations needed for 50% inhibition of mutagen-induced revertant formation was found to be 5 mg/plate. Green tea polyphenols was also found to inhibit the urinary mutagenicity in rats induced by tobacco extract. Moreover green tea polyphenols were found to inhibit in vitro nitrosation reaction produced by reaction sodium nitrite and methyl urea and further inhibition of mutagenicity indicating that green tea has dual action to bring out a reduction in the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of tobacco.

Electromigration of tobacco polyphenols

Polyphenols in tobacco are known precursors for bioactive phenolic compounds in cigarette smoke. Electrodialysis has been tested as a means of selectively extracting polyphenols from aqueous tobacco extracts. Seven commercial membranes were tested in an electromigration configuration. This exploratory study showed the potential application of AM-2 and AM-4 membranes for the migration of polyphenols. During 3-h trials with a single membrane in an electrodialysis cell, both AM-2 and AM-4 membranes achieved a 77% demineralization rate. The migration rates for the AM-2 and AM-4 membranes were for chlorogenic acid 24.7 and 28.7%, respectively, for scopoletin 8.6 and 18.8%, and for rutin −10.3 and 10.3%.

Expression and localization of heat shock proteins in rat basophilic leukemia cells: differential modulation by degranulation, thermal or oxidative stress.

Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells are well characterized in terms of morphological and biochemical changes upon activation, and have been extensively used as a model system for studying the mechanisms of the immediate hypersensitivity reaction. To investigate whether overexpression of heat shock/stress proteins (HSP) is involved in the mast cell-dependent reactivity, we examined the adaptive responses of RBL-2H3 cells to classical stress conditions such as heat shock or oxidative injury produced by an aqueous extract of tobacco smoke. HSP were determined by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Degranulation was confirmed as the release of beta-hexosaminidase, determined spectrophotometrically, and by electron microscopy experiments. We found that RBL-2H3 cells respond to heat shock or oxidative injury by the synthesis of both the inducible 72 kDa HSP (Hsp70), and the oxidation-specific 32 kDa heme oxygenase (HO)-1. Heat shock induced mainly Hsp70 in a cell growth-dependent manner, whereas oxidative stress induced mainly HO-1 in a cell growth-independent manner. However, heat shock or oxidative stress had no significant effects on degranulation. Stress-mediated synthesis of HSP was not associated with RBL-2H3 degranulation and likewise, degranulation did not induce HSP.

Characterization of cigar tobaccos by gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis of nonvolatile organic acids: application to the authentication of Cuban cigars.

A reliable method based on gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) profiling of nonvolatile organic acids is described for the characterization of cigars. The method involves an aqueous extraction of ground tobacco and selective isolation of the acids by simply stirring strong anion exchange (SAX) disks in the aqueous tobacco extract. The acids are then directly silylated on the disk with N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluroacetamide (MSTFA) in acetonitrile in an autosampler vial. Elution of the derivatized acids in situ allows the sample to be directly analyzed by GC/MS without further sample handling. Compared to the conventional disk-extraction technique using a vacuum manifold, this method is much less labor intensive, and is desirable for multiple sample analysis. Nicotinic acid, succinic acid, glyceric acid, malic acid, pyroglutamic acid, threonic acid, citric acid, uracil, and an unidentified acid were reproducibly quantified in tobacco samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the acid profiles of the filler tobaccos of 18 Cuban cigars and 31 non-Cuban cigars shows separation of the two groups, indicating that the acid profiles are potentially useful in the authentication of Cuban cigars.

Mini-Review: On the Transfer of Nicotine from Tobacco to the Smoker. A Brief Review of Ammonia and “pH” Factors

Abstract A brief review is presented of the scientific literature on the effects of ammonia compounds, when used as tobacco additives, on the smoke chemistry and bioavailablity of nicotine. The review concludes that ammonia compounds used in the manufacture of certain types of tobacco sheet materials: 1) contribute to the flavor properties of cigarette smoke, 2) do not increase the amount, rate or efficiency of nicotine transferred from tobacco to mainstream smoke (MS), 3) do not increase the percentage of nicotine in MS gas phase using the FTC/ISO (Federal Trade Commission/International Organization for Standardization) method, 4) have no influence on the determination of MS nicotine yield as measured by the FTC/ISO method, and 5) do not increase the total rate or amount of nicotine absorbed by the smoker. The review also examines the use of pH as it relates to tobacco and to smoke and suggests a terminology which more accurately describes the measurement (pH of aqueous extract of tobacco, pH of aqueous extract of smoke, and pH/electrode in smoke). Lastly, a number of research gaps in these areas are identified.

Tobacco smoke is a source of toxic reactive glycation products.

Smokers have a significantly higher risk for developing coronary and cerebrovascular disease than nonsmokers. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are reactive, cross-linking moieties that form from the reaction of reducing sugars and the amino groups of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. AGEs circulate in high concentrations in the plasma of patients with diabetes or renal insufficiency and have been linked to the accelerated vasculopathy seen in patients with these diseases. Because the curing of tobacco takes place under conditions that could lead to the formation of glycation products, we examined whether tobacco and tobacco smoke could generate these reactive species that would increase AGE formation in vivo. Our findings show that reactive glycation products are present in aqueous extracts of tobacco and in tobacco smoke in a form that can rapidly react with proteins to form AGEs. This reaction can be inhibited by aminoguanidine, a known inhibitor of AGE formation. We have named these glycation products "glycotoxins." Like other known reducing sugars and reactive glycation products, glycotoxins form smoke, react with protein, exhibit a specific fluorescence when cross-linked to proteins, and are mutagenic. Glycotoxins are transferred to the serum proteins of human smokers. AGE-apolipoprotein B and serum AGE levels in cigarette smokers were significantly higher than those in nonsmokers. These results suggest that increased glycotoxin exposure may contribute to the increased incidence of atherosclerosis and high prevalence of cancer in smokers.