an animal Model of Inhaled Vitamin E acetate and EVaLI-like Lung Injury.

Introduction:
This text describes a study that investigates the potential link between inhaled vitamin E acetate and the development of electronic-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury (EVaLI). The study uses an animal model to examine the effects of vitamin E acetate aerosols on the lungs of mice.

Key Points:

* The study exposed mice to aerosols generated from vitamin E acetate, a mixture of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin (PG–VG), or air (controls).
* The mice exposed to vitamin E acetate had increased levels of albumin in bronchoalveolar-lavage (BaL) fluid, a surrogate marker of lung epithelial damage.
* The total numbers of leukocytes in the lungs of mice exposed to vitamin E acetate were significantly higher than those in mice exposed to PG–VG or to air.
* BaL cells from mice exposed to vitamin E acetate contained numerous lipid-laden macrophages, while those from mice exposed to PG–VG had fewer identifiable macrophages.
* Lung-tissue sections from mice exposed to vitamin E acetate revealed alveolar macrophages containing abundant oil red O–stained lipid.
* The study acknowledges limitations, including the lack of aerosols containing ThC or nicotine and the potential for other lipophilic solvents to produce similar outcomes.
* The findings provide additional evidence for vitamin E acetate as a possible cause of EVaLI.

Main Message:
The study contributes to our understanding of EVaLI by developing an animal model that can be used to evaluate the potential role of vitamin E acetate in the development of the condition. The findings provide further evidence for vitamin E acetate as a possible cause of EVaLI, but additional studies are needed to fully understand the relationship between inhaled vitamin E acetate and the development of lung injury. It is important for regulators to consider these findings in their efforts to protect public health and prevent the use of harmful substances in e-cigarettes.

Bhat Ta, Kalathil SG, Bogner PN, Blount BC, Goniewicz ML, Thanavala YM. an animal Model of Inhaled Vitamin E acetate and EVaLI-like Lung Injury. The New England journal of medicine. 2020;382(12):1175-1177. doi:10.1056/NEJMc2000231