Differential impact of JUUL flavors on pulmonary immune modulation and oxidative stress responses in male and female mice.

Introduction:

This article reports on a study investigating the effects of acute exposure to JUUL e-cigarette aerosols on the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in mice. The study uses a preclinical model that replicates human puff topography and exposure regimes.

Key Points:

* The study establishes a preclinical exposure regime that mimics human e-cigarette puff topography based on limited studies that have evaluated parameters such as puff duration, puff volume, puffing interval, puffs/day, and sessions/day in e-cigarette users.
* Mice were exposed to mango, mint, or Virginia tobacco-flavored JUUL aerosols containing 5% nicotine for 3 days, and assessed for inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in the lungs and blood.
* at a low exposure regime (1 puff/min), there were minimal changes in BaL cell composition or lung mRNa expression. however, at a moderate user regime (4 puffs/min), mint-flavored JUUL significantly increased lung neutrophils, while mango-flavored JUUL significantly increased Tnfα and Il13 mRNa in the lungs.
* Both the 1- and 4 puffs/min regimes significantly increased oxidative stress markers in the blood, indicating systemic effects.
* Serum cotinine levels were significantly higher in mice exposed to JUUL products compared to both PG/VG and air-exposed controls, with no significant difference in cotinine levels between flavors or sexes.
* Mint-flavored JUUL aerosols significantly increased serum 8-OhdG at the low-exposure condition, while tobacco-flavored JUUL aerosols significantly increased serum 8-OhdG and MDa at both low and moderate-exposure regimes.
* There were differences in inflammatory and oxidative stress responses between male and female mice.

Main Message:

The study finds that JUUL products are not inert, and even short-term inhalation of flavored JUUL e-cigarette aerosols differentially causes immune modulation and oxidative stress responses. The findings highlight the need for continued evaluation of the safety of chemicals used to flavor e-liquid blends before their use in commercial products. additionally, the study suggests that sex may play a role in the response to JUUL exposure, and further research is needed to understand the implications of this finding. Overall, the study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that e-cigarette use is not without risk and should be approached with caution.

Been T, Traboulsi h, Paoli S, et al. Differential impact of JUUL flavors on pulmonary immune modulation and oxidative stress responses in male and female mice. archives of toxicology. 2022;96(6):1783-1798. doi:10.1007/s00204-022-03269-3