Acute effects of electronic and tobacco cigarettes on vascular and respiratory function in healthy volunteers: a cross-over study

Introduction:
This summary will provide an overview of a study examining the acute effects of electronic and tobacco cigarettes on vascular and respiratory function in healthy volunteers. The study focuses on the impact of these substances on circulating microparticles, specifically platelet microparticles (PMPs) and endothelial microparticles (EMPs), which serve as biomarkers of haemostasis/thrombosis and endothelial function, respectively.

Key Points:

* The study is a single-center prospective randomized cross-over study, involving 20 male smokers who were randomly assigned to study arms 'A' or 'B'.
* Participants were exposed to either tobacco cigarette smoking or electronic cigarette use on separate study days, with study investigations performed preintervention and post-intervention.
* The electronic cigarette intervention involved using a commercially available second-generation electronic cigarette device with nicotine-containing e-liquid.
* The study found that both electronic and tobacco cigarettes led to a significant reduction in PWA in both the occluded arm and the control arm.
* Following tobacco smoking, there was a significant increase in total microparticles, EMPs, and PMPs, while electronic cigarettes were only associated with an increase in PMPs.
* Peak expiratory flow significantly decreased following electronic cigarette use, suggesting a defensive physiological response against the irritants from the electronic cigarette aerosol.
* The study highlights the need for further research to clarify the long-term effects of electronic cigarettes on atherogenesis and cardiovascular risk.

Main Message:
This study underscores the importance of understanding the acute physiological and biochemical effects of electronic and tobacco cigarettes on vascular and respiratory function. The findings suggest that both electronic and tobacco cigarettes negatively impact vascular function, with electronic cigarettes inducing vasoreactivity and decreased peak expiratory flow, while tobacco smoking causes an endothelial inflammatory response. These results emphasize the need for continued investigation into the potential risks and long-term consequences associated with electronic cigarette use.

Kerr, Danièle M.I., Katriona J.M. Brooksbank, Richard G. Taylor, Karine Pinel, Francisco J. Rios, Rhian M. Touyz, and Christian Delles. “Acute Effects of Electronic and Tobacco Cigarettes on Vascular and Respiratory Function in Healthy Volunteers: A Cross-over Study.” Journal of Hypertension 37, no. 1 (January 2019): 154–66. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000001890.