Short-term e-cigarette vapour exposure causes vascular oxidative stress and dysfunction: evidence for a close connection to brain damage and a key role of the phagocytic NaDPh oxidase (NOX-2).

Introduction:
This text summarizes a scientific study investigating the effects of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) vapor on vascular function in smokers and experimental animals. The study aims to determine the underlying mechanisms of e-cigarette-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the vasculature.

Key Points:

* The study found that acute e-cigarette smoking produced a marked impairment of endothelial function in chronic smokers determined by flow-mediated dilation.
* In mice, e-cigarette vapor without nicotine had more detrimental effects on endothelial function, markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid peroxidation than vapor containing nicotine.
* The adverse effects of e-cigarette vapor were largely absent in mice lacking phagocytic NaDPh oxidase (NOX-2) or upon treatment with the endothelin receptor blocker macitentan or the FOXO3 activator bepridil.
* The e-cigarette product acrolein, a reactive aldehyde, recapitulated many of the NOX-2-dependent effects of e-cigarette vapor using in vitro blood vessel incubation.
* The study also found that e-cigarette vapor exposure increases vascular, cerebral, and pulmonary oxidative stress via a NOX-2-dependent mechanism.
* The toxic aldehyde acrolein was identified as a key mediator of the observed adverse vascular consequences.
* The findings suggest that e-cigarettes have the potential to induce marked adverse cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cerebrovascular consequences.

Main Message:
The study suggests that e-cigarette use has the potential to induce significant adverse health effects, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cerebrovascular consequences. The findings highlight the need for aggressive steps to limit the health risks associated with e-cigarette use, particularly among youth. The use of e-cigarettes should not be considered safe, and further research is necessary to fully understand the long-term health effects of e-cigarette use.

Kuntic M, Oelze M, Steven S, et al. Short-term e-cigarette vapour exposure causes vascular oxidative stress and dysfunction: evidence for a close connection to brain damage and a key role of the phagocytic NaDPh oxidase (NOX-2). European heart journal. 2020;41(26):2472-2483. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz772