how harmful are e-cigarettes to the head and neck cells?

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a systematic review examining the adverse effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on head and neck cells. The review includes two clinical trials and 16 in vitro research studies, which investigated the effects of e-cigarette vapor and liquid on various head and neck cells and DNa. The text highlights the potential harmful effects of e-cigarettes on oral and head and neck cells, and emphasizes the need for an evidence-based public health policy regarding their safety and use as a smoking cessation strategy.

Key points:

* The review found that the use of e-cigarettes causes alterations to cell size and shape, reduces cell viability and proliferation, and increases lactate dehydrogenase, leading to cell apoptosis and necrosis.
* Sixteen studies found increased apoptosis and/or necrosis, reduced cell viability, abnormal cell morphology, increased cell death, DNa damage, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as delayed fibroblast migration when oral, head, and neck cells were exposed to e-cigarettes.
* Two studies found a 20-50% reduction in DNa damage when e-cigarettes were compared to tobacco smoking.
* Some studies discovered statistically significant changes in the TP53 gene (linked to smoking-related cancers) following cell exposure to e-cigarette vapor.
* The review identified discrepancies in the figures provided for studies included for full-text screening, and noted the lack of a protocol registered with the PROSPERO database, the lack of adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guidelines, and the use of a non-standardized bias assessment tool.
* The review noted the potential synergistic effects of alcohol consumption and e-cigarette use on cell changes, and the possibility of residual effects of smoking in participants who were ex-smokers who went on to use e-cigarettes.
* The text emphasizes the need for governments and health services to increase public awareness of the potential harmful impacts of prolonged exposure to e-cigarettes, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
* The text notes the growing body of research underscoring the harm of e-cigarettes with respect to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other body systems, and the identification of several definite and potential carcinogens in e-cigarette liquids.

Main message:
The text highlights the potential harmful effects of e-cigarettes on oral and head and neck cells, and emphasizes the need for robust evidence regarding their safety and use as a smoking cessation strategy. The text also underscores the need for governments and health services to increase public awareness of the potential harmful impacts of prolonged exposure to e-cigarettes, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Given the lack of data on long-term health outcomes, and the growing body of research underscoring the harm of e-cigarettes with respect to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other body systems, it is inappropriate to make routine recommendations to support the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation strategy. Instead, there are growing calls for subjecting e-cigarettes to the same regulatory policies as traditional cigarettes, and advice regarding their use should be informed by robust evidence.

Baniulyte G, ali K. how harmful are e-cigarettes to the head and neck cells? Evidence-based dentistry. 2022;23(2):62-63. doi:10.1038/s41432-022-0276-5