Summary
Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a scientific study examining the effects of pod-based menthol and tobacco flavored e-cigarettes on mitochondrial dysfunction in lung epithelial cells. The study uses a Seahorse technique to determine mitochondrial respiration and electron transport chain complexes by total OXPhOS antibodies after exposing lung epithelial cells to pod-based Menthol and Virginia Tobacco flavored aerosols.
Key Points:
* The study found that menthol pod exposure resulted in an immediate increase in proton leak and decrease coupling efficiency, as well as a decrease in complex I, II, and IV.
* 24 hours post exposure, menthol pod exposure resulted in a decrease in basal respiration, maximal respiration, and spare capacity, as well as a decrease in complex I.
* Tobacco pod exposure resulted in no significant alterations to mitochondrial respiration, but immediately post final exposure resulted in a significant increase in complex I, IV, and V.
* The study indicates that exposure to Menthol flavored e-cigarette pods causes mitochondrial respiration dysfunction in lung epithelial cells.
* The research used a rigorous and unbiased approach in experimental planning and data analysis.
* The study was performed in accordance with the University of Rochester Institutional Biosafety Committee.
* JUUL pod flavor, "Menthol" and "Virginia Tobacco" with 5% nicotine were purchased from online and local retail stores.
* The vapor phase constituents of JUUL Menthol and Virginia Tobacco pods were quantified using EPa method TO-15 and mass spectral library search for tentatively identified compounds.
Main Message:
The study provides evidence that pod-based menthol flavored e-cigarettes cause mitochondrial respiration dysfunction in lung epithelial cells, while tobacco flavored pods do not have the same effect. The findings suggest that the continued use of pod-based menthol flavored e-cigarettes may pose a health risk and highlight the need for further research and regulation in this area.
Citation
Lamb T, Muthumalage T, Rahman I. Pod-based menthol and tobacco flavored e-cigarettes cause mitochondrial dysfunction in lung epithelial cells. Toxicology letters. 2020;333:303-311. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.08.003
