Effect of e-cigarette liquid on the optical properties of ovarian tissue under normal conditions and sarcoma

Subject of study . This study investigates the effect of electronic-cigarette liquids (e-liquids) on the optical properties of normal and sarcoma-affected feline ovaries using reflectance spectroscopy. Aim of study. The aim of this study is to determine the quantitative characteristics of the molecular diffusion of e-liquid (70% glycerol and 30% propylene glycol) in the tissues of normal feline ovaries and ovaries affected by sarcoma. Method . The optical properties of the studied samples were analyzed using diffuse optical reflectance and transmission spectroscopy in the spectral range of 200–800 nm. Main results . The diffusion effective coefficients of the tested e-liquid were calculated as follows: for normal feline ovarian tissue, D =(2.7±0.4)×10 −6 cm 2 /s, and for sarcoma-affected ovaries, D =(2.9±0.5)×10 −5 cm 2 /s. The results indicated that interaction between the tissue samples and e-liquids leads to a temporary and reversible decrease in diffuse reflection and an increase in total transmittance compared with control samples across a wide spectral range, from deep ultraviolet to near-infrared. This suggests a reversible reduction in light scattering within the tissue and a corresponding structural change. Under the influence of the tested e-liquid, the total transmittance coefficient increased 22-fold in normal ovarian tissue over 100 min for a sample thickness of approximately 1 mm. In stromal sarcoma tissue, transmission increased twofold under the same sample thickness, with an exposure time of approximately 40 min. Practical significance . The findings may contribute to the development of more effective protocols for optical endoscopic diagnostics of the reproductive system, as well as photodynamic or photothermal therapy and surgical interventions using a laser scalpel in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Additionally, these results may be applied in the cryopreservation of organs, including those of the human reproductive system, as glycerol and propylene glycol are commonly used in cryobiology.