Smoking damages the liver

Mr. Pham Tuan Lam (55 years old, Hanoi ), has been smoking for more than 20 years, he is heavily addicted, smoking 1 pack a day. Recently, he felt tired, loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice, went to the doctor and found out he had severe cirrhosis.

According to doctors, smoking directly affects the cardiopulmonary system, negatively affecting many organs, including the liver.

Dr. Vu Truong Khanh, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, smoking damages healthy liver tissue, causes cirrhosis, fatty liver, and over time can lead to liver cancer.

Cigarette smoking affects the liver through three distinct mechanisms: toxicity (both direct and indirect), immunological, and carcinogenic. Cigarettes have cytotoxic properties, promoting oxidative stress, leading to liver fibrosis.

Smoking also increases pro-inflammatory cytokines, which damage liver cells. One of the indirect toxic effects of smoking is increased carboxyhemoglobin (CO is a common asphyxiant chemical toxin), which limits the ability of tissues to transport oxygen. Cigarette smoke also increases erythropoietin (EPO is a growth factor that stimulates the production of red blood cells), which promotes oxidation, which can lead to liver damage.

In addition, smoking can inhibit the immune system's production of antibodies, thereby losing lymphocytes. These are important white blood cells that help eliminate cancer, infections and bacteria. Some substances in cigarette smoke also stimulate tumor growth, inhibiting the body's natural anti-tumor genes.

In addition, smoking also increases fatty liver. Nicotine in cigarettes easily accumulates in the intestines, activates the protein AMPK to produce ceramide (a type of lipid that accumulates in the liver), leading to the formation of fat in the liver, increasing the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Untreated disease can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

“There are 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes that can have negative effects on the body such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, benzene, acetaldehyde, nitrosamine, vinyl chloride. These substances enter the blood, affecting many organs in the body, including the liver. The liver has the function of metabolizing and eliminating toxic chemicals from cigarettes. However, the increase in toxins from cigarette smoke increases oxidative stress in the liver, cell damage, scarring, and cirrhosis,” said Dr. Khanh.

To protect health from the unpredictable harmful effects of tobacco, doctors recommend that people who have the habit of smoking quit immediately to reduce the risk of liver disease, especially liver cancer and other diseases.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/hut-thuoc-la-gay-ton-thuong-gan-i783941/