Chromosomal damage at bone-marrow cells is induced by exposure of rats to waterpipe water filtrate.

Waterpipe smoking is continuing to spread globally. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of waterpipe water filtrate on chromosomal integrity in the bone-marrow cells of rats. Chromosomal damage was examined using in vivo chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and SCEs assays. Young Wistar male rats were exposed to WWF via drinking water. Chromosomal damage was measured in bone marrow cells after 6 weeks of treatment using fluorescent-plus-Giemsa staining. Treatment of rats with waterpipe water filtrate for 6 weeks did not affect food/liquid consumption and gain in body weight. The results showed that waterpipe water filtrate increased the frequencies of chromosomal breaks and exchanges by more than 30% (p < 0.01). In addition, waterpipe water filtrate significantly increased SCEs in the bone-marrow cells of rats. In conclusion, waterpipe water filtrate contains genotoxic compounds providing additional evidence for genotoxicity of waterpipe smoke.