ISSN 0300-9092 (Print)
ISSN 2412-5679 (Online)

Electronic cigarettes and glutathione-dependent mechanisms of cellular protection in the context of maintaining reproductive health

Gorbova A.V., Milyutina Yu.P., Korenevsky A.V., Kogan I.Yu.

D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia

Electronic cigarettes are widely used among teenagers and young adults and are often seen as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. However, recent data  indicate that their components have toxic effects on various organs and systems, including the reproductive system. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the composition of electronic cigarette aerosols and the mechanisms by which they contribute to the development of oxidative stress, inflammation and impaired functioning of cellular detoxification systems. Particular attention has been paid to the glutathione-dependent component of antioxidant defense as one of the key mechanisms for maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. This review also examines experimental and clinical data on the impact of electronic cigarettes on the male and female reproductive systems, namely, impaired spermatogenesis and folliculogenesis, which lead to hormonal imbalances and reduced fertility.
Conclusion: The impairment of glutathione-dependent cellular defense mechanisms plays a significant role in the reproductive toxicity of electronic cigarettes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood, highlighting the need for further research, particularly in younger individuals.

Authors’ contributions: Milyutina Yu.P. – developing the concept of the study; Gorbova A.V. – searching and processing literature sources, writing the text; Milyutina Yu.P., Korenevsky A.V., Kogan I.Yu. – editing the article.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Funding: This study was carried out with the support of FSR No.1024032800230-9-3.2.2 "General and specific mechanisms underlying the functioning and disorders of reproductive function within the family".
For citation: Gorbova A.V., Milyutina Yu.P., Korenevsky A.V., Kogan I.Yu. Electronic cigarettes and glutathione-dependent mechanisms of cellular protection in the context of maintaining reproductive health.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (4): 68-76 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.339

Keywords

electronic cigarettes
vaping
glutathione
detoxification system
oxidative stress
reproductive health
fertility

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Received 24.11.2025

Accepted 09.04.2026

About the Authors

Alexandra V. Gorbova, laboratory researcher, Laboratory of Biochemistry of Reproduction, Medical and Environmental Problems, D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, 199034, Russia, St. Petersburg, Mendeleevskaya line, 3, alekss137@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9774-8908
Yulia P. Milyutina, Dr. Bio. Sci., Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Biochemistry of Reproduction, Medical and Environmental Problems, D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, 199034, Russia, St. Petersburg, Mendeleevskaya line, 3, milyutina1010@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1951-8312
Andrey V. Korenevsky, Dr. Bio. Sci., Head of the Laboratory of Biochemistry of Reproduction, Medical and Environmental Problems, D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, 199034, Russia, St. Petersburg, Mendeleevskaya line, 3, a.korenevsky@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0365-8532
Igor Yu. Kogan, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Director, D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, 199034, Russia, St. Petersburg, Mendeleevskaya line, 3, iag@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7351-6900
Corresponding author: Alexandra V. Gorbova, alekss137@mail.ru

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