Hookah, Vascular and Endothelial Function in Humans
Abstracts
Initial Award Abstract |
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Hookah (waterpipe) smoking is a revived Middle-Eastern form of tobacco use that has recently become very popular in California and across the United States, especially among young adults. Hookah smoking is currently the only form of tobacco use that is unregulated and is exempt from the Indoor Clean Air Act, which contributes to its growing popularity. Young adults of all ethnic backgrounds, both males and females, are attracted to smoking hookah and are under the belief that it is a safer, non-addictive and healthier alternative to cigarettes. Unfortunately, in comparison to cigarettes, little is known about the harmful effects of hookah smoking on the human heart and blood vessels. We predict that hookah smoking is much more harmful, not only because of the higher amount of smoke exposure from tar and nicotine but also from the toxic chemicals released from the burning charcoal used to heat the hookah tobacco. Hookah smoking has been shown to immediately increase blood pressure and heart rate which could result in damage in the inner lining of the body's blood vessels. The goal of this grant proposal is to use clinical research methods to study the acute effects of hookah smoking on large and small blood vessels throughout the human body. We predict that hookah smoking causes acute damage within the inner lining of small and large blood vessels, resulting in an increase in vessel stiffness and a higher systolic blood pressure. To accomplish our goals, we will recruit twenty-six healthy, young volunteers who are regular hookah smokers but not cigarette smokers. Before and after a 45-minutes of smoking hookah, we will (1) Determine the acute effects of hookah smoking on large blood vessels by ultrasound imaging measurements of the main artery of the upper arm. We predict that hookah smoking will cause acute dilatory damages to the inner linings of large vessels. (2) Determine the acute effects of hookah smoking on small blood vessels measured by a finger probe. We predict that hookah smoking will cause acute dilatory damages to the inner linings of small vessels. (3) Determine the acute effects of hookah smoking on stiffness of the body's blood vessels measured by simultaneous pulse recordings from a thigh cuff and a pencil-like sensor gently placed against the neck. We predict that hookah smoking will cause acute increases in the stiffness of blood vessels and a higher systolic blood pressure. Findings from this study will help us understand the potential harmful effects of hookah smoking on the human heart and blood vessels. We expect that our results will help in revealing the relationship between hookah smoking and the risk for cardiovascular disease. We anticipate that our results will produce public awareness, help educate and target audience of high school and college students and influence policymakers to create stricter laws related to hookah smoking in California and throughout the United States. |
