Mid-term effects of electronic cigarette use on vascular function and oxidative stress.

Introduction:
This text summarizes and analyzes several studies on the mid-term effects of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use on vascular function and oxidative stress. The authors highlight the potential benefits of switching from conventional tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes in terms of vascular function and oxidative stress. They also emphasize the need for further research on both the short- and long-term effects of e-cigarette exposure on cardiovascular health, particularly in the youth population and regarding the effects of various e-liquid flavors.

Key Points:

* E-cigarette use enhances oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular injury, which may induce negative cardiovascular effects.
* a study of 70 individuals showed that both conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes impair arterial elasticity and increase oxidative stress burden acutely.
* Nicotine-free and nicotine e-cigarettes resulted in a smaller increase in arterial stiffness and oxidative stress compared to acute conventional cigarette smoking.
* Switching from conventional cigarettes to nicotine-containing e-cigarettes resulted in a reduction of central and brachial systolic blood pressure, arterial wave reflections, and oxidative stress within 1 month.
* a subsequent study found a smaller increase in oxidative stress markers after acute e-cigarette smoking compared to conventional tobacco smoking.
* another study showed that within 1 month of switching from conventional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, there was a significant improvement in endothelial function and arterial stiffness.
* The beneficial effects of switching from conventional cigarettes to e-cigarettes may be attributed to the large reduction in inhaled CO, which is produced by combustible cigarettes but not by e-cigarettes.

Main Message:
The mid-term effects of e-cigarette use on vascular function and oxidative stress show promising benefits for individuals who switch from conventional tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes. however, further research is needed to investigate both the short- and long-term effects of e-cigarette exposure on cardiovascular health, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the youth. It is also important to study the effects of various e-liquid flavors, as data is scarce in this area. Overall, while e-cigarettes may provide a safer alternative to conventional tobacco cigarettes, more research is needed to fully understand their potential health effects.

Kourea K, Kostelli G, Ikonomidis I. Mid-term effects of electronic cigarette use on vascular function and oxidative stress. Cardiovascular research. 2020;116(7):1. doi:10.1093/cvr/cvaa095