Cand. Sci. (Med.), Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Gastroenterologist, University Clinic

кандидат медицинских наук, зав. кафедрой внутренних болезней Института фундаментальной медицины и биологии, врач-гастроэнтеролог Университетской клиники

Head of the Department of Forensic Chemical and Chemical-Toxicological Examination

зав. отделением судебно-химической и химико-токсикологической экспертизы

Deputy Chief Physician for Development, Quality, and Digital Medicine, Medical and Sanitary Unit

заместитель главного врача по развитию, качеству и цифровой медицине, Медико-санитарная часть КФУ

Associate Professor, Cand. Sci.(Med.), Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Higher School of Medicine, Center for Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Internal Medicine (internal part-timer)

доцент, кандидат медицинских наук, Институт фундаментальной медицины и биологии, Высшая школа медицины, Центр медицины и фармации, кафедра внутренних болезней (внутренний совместитель)

Associate Professor, Cand. Sci.(Med.), Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Higher School of Medicine, Center for Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Internal Medicine (internal part-timer)

доцент, кандидат медицинских наук, Институт фундаментальной медицины и биологии, Высшая школа медицины, Центр медицины и фармации, кафедра внутренних болезней (внутренний совместитель)

Biologist, Medical and Sanitary Unit, First Deputy Chief Physician for Medical Work, Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory No. 3 (Bacteriology)

биолог, Медико-санитарная часть, Первый заместитель главного врача по лечебной работе, Клинико-диагностическая лаборатория № 3 (бактериологическая)

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Head of the Department, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Center for Postgraduate Education, Department of Preventive Medicine (external part-timer)

доктор медицинских наук, зав. кафедрой, Институт фундаментальной медицины и биологии, Центр последипломного образования, кафедра профилактической медицины (внешний совместитель)

Cand. Sci. (Med.)

кандидат медицинских наук

Professor, Director of the Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Full Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan

профессор, директор института фундаментальной медицины и биологии, действительный член АН РТ

kiassov@mail.ruKazan (Volga Region) Federal UniversityКазанский (Приволжский) федеральный университетRepublican Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, Ministry of Health of the Republic of TatarstanРеспубликанское бюро судебно-медицинской экспертизы Министерства здравоохранения Республики ТатарстанKazan State Medical UniversityКазанский государственный медицинский университет2912202532917518418012026Copyright ©; 2025, Bionika MediaCopyright ©; 2025, ООО «Бионика Медиа»2025Bionika MediaООО «Бионика Медиа»https://journals.rcsi.science/2073-4034/article/view/368209

Background: Carbon monoxide (CO) is an integral component of smoke that is harmful to the health of not only smokers but also those around them. Therefore, analyzing carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood of smokers and nonsmokers can be considered not only as a factor reflecting hypoxia but also as a parameter for assessing potential damage to vital body functions.

Objective: Assessment of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels (% of hemoglobin saturation) in the blood of volunteers who switched to using an electronic tobacco heating system (ETHS) compared to volunteers who continued smoking conventional cigarettes (CC) and who quit smoking (SC) following short-term exposure.

Materials and methods: The study included 60 volunteers (M – 48, F –1 2) aged 21 to 65 years (mean age 32.4 years). Volunteers were randomized into three study groups [ETHS: conventional cigarettes (CC): smoking cessation (CS)] in a 2:1:1 ratio, accounting for equal representation in each group of male and female volunteers who smoked 10-19 or more conventional cigarettes per day (data on the number of conventional cigarettes smoked was obtained during screening based on the results of a questionnaire for the previous 4 weeks of smoking).

Results: The blood carboxyhemoglobin levels in volunteers in the CC group remained virtually unchanged throughout the study period, while in the ETHS groups it was statistically lower than the level at Day 0, starting from the first day (Day 1) of the study; in the SC group, a trend toward decreased carboxyhemoglobin levels was observed throughout the study. However, no differences were found at the Day 3, Day 4, and Day 5 study points compared to Day 0.

Conclusion: The results of the data analysis allow to conclude on the likelihood of harm reduction effects of the study product (ETHS) when used during the study period (5 days) based on the volunteer examination methods used, including a complete blood count, urinalysis, blood chemistry, ECG, spirometry, and the results of an objective examination assessing anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI) and vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature), and the absence of reported adverse events/severe adverse events.