association of vaping with decreased vascular endothelial growth factor expression and decreased microvessel density in cutaneous wound healing tissue in rats.

Introduction:
This summary will provide an overview of an original research study examining the association between vaping and decreased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and decreased microvessel density in cutaneous wound healing tissue in rats. The study aims to compare molecular and histologic changes in cutaneous flap and non-flap tissue between vaping, smoking and control cohorts.

Key Points:

* The study utilized 15 male Sprague –Dawley rats randomized into three treatment groups: smoking, vaping and a negative control.
* Rats were exposed to their respective treatments for 30 minutes twice a day for 30 consecutive days, with serum cotinine monitoring to ensure equivalent levels of exposure between smoking and vaping treated rats.
* after 30 days, dorsal random pattern flaps were raised and healed for 2 weeks, after which skin punch biopsies of flap and non-flap tissues were collected for quantitative-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of three selected wound healing genes (TGF- β, VEGF, MMP-1).
* Immunohistochemistry for CD68 expression, α-smooth muscle actin looking at microvessel density (MVD) and in situ hybridization to localize VEGF production were also undertaken.
* The results showed that both vaping and smoking were associated with decreased VEGF expression, MVD and fibrotic changes in flap tissue.
* The decreased VEGF expression in vaping was primarily localized to basal keratinocytes and dermal capillaries in non-flap tissue.
* Immunohistochemistry showed decreased MVD in smoking and vaping flap tissue, indicating attenuated angiogenesis.

Main Message:
The study suggests that vaping has similar adverse effects as smoking on cutaneous wound healing, with decreased VEGF expression, MVD, and fibrotic changes in flap tissue. These findings highlight the need for further research into the surgical manifestations of vaping and the importance of informing patients about the perioperative wound healing risks of vaping. Surgeons should also consider asking patients about vaping usage as it may have implications for poorer wound healing outcomes.

Jaleel Z, Blasberg E, Troiano C, et al. association of vaping with decreased vascular endothelial growth factor expression and decreased microvessel density in cutaneous wound healing tissue in rats. Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society. 2021;29(6):1024-1034. doi:10.1111/wrr.12945