acute effects of nicotine-free and flavour-free electronic cigarette use on lung functions in healthy and asthmatic individuals

Introduction:
This letter to the editor reports the results of a clinical trial investigating the acute effects of nicotine-free and flavor-free electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use on lung function in healthy and asthmatic individuals. The study aimed to determine the impact of a 1-hour vaping session on pulmonary function, respiratory mechanics, and symptoms in both groups. The key points of the study design and major findings are summarized below.

Key Points:

* The study was a randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial involving 20 healthy volunteers and 10 asthmatic volunteers.
* The e-liquid used in the study consisted of a 70/30 mixture of USP-grade propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (Gly), representing what is commonly used in e-cigarettes to dissolve nicotine and/or flavors.
* Volunteers were asked to inhale three times per minute for a total of 1 hour, and respiratory mechanics, lung function, vital signs, and symptoms were measured at multiple time points.
* The study found that a 1-hour vaping session of PG/Gly mixture using a commercially available e-cigarette did not significantly impact pulmonary function, respiratory mechanics, or symptoms in either healthy or asthmatic subjects.
* No changes in lung function were observed using either spirometry or forced oscillation technique.
* No signs of flaring inflammation, such as increased FeNO and serum CRP levels, were observed in response to e-cigarette in the asthmatic group.
* Subjective measures such as symptoms could have been affected by the limitation that individuals were aware of using the full or empty e-cigarette, but the objective physiological measures were not affected.

Main Message:
The study suggests that acute exposure to e-cigarette vapors does not cause significant functional pulmonary alterations in healthy and asthmatic individuals. however, the study highlights the need for further research on the effects of chronic use, especially in more susceptible populations such as teenagers, smokers, and individuals with chronic lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study also underscores the importance of proper labeling and regulation of e-cigarettes to ensure their safe use. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential health effects of e-cigarette use, but further research is needed to better understand the long-term consequences of their use.

Boulay, Marie-Ève, Cyndi henry, Ynuk Bossé, Louis-Philippe Boulet, and Mathieu C. Morissette. “acute Effects of Nicotine-Free and Flavour-Free Electronic Cigarette Use on Lung Functions in healthy and asthmatic Individuals.” Respiratory Research 18, no. 1 (December 2017): 33. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-017-0518-9.