Cytotoxic effects of heated tobacco products (hTP) on human bronchial epithelial cells

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a scientific study examining the potential cytotoxic effects of inhaling emissions from heated tobacco products (hTPs) compared to electronic and combustible tobacco cigarettes. The study uses an in vitro model to investigate the impact on human bronchial epithelial cells.

Key Points:

* The study found that hTPs showed reduced cytotoxicity relative to combustible cigarettes but higher toxicity than electronic cigarettes.
* The hTPs tested were the IqOS device and its tobacco sticks (hEETS), purchased in Florence, Italy, and the electronic and tobacco cigarettes were purchased in Buffalo, USa.
* Emissions from tested products were generated using a Borgwaldt LX-1 smoking machine and the health Canada Intense puffing protocol.
* Cells were acutely exposed to emissions, aerosol, or smoke from tobacco products using an air-liquid interface (aLI) interface.
* Cytokines released into the fresh apical media were measured as an indicator of cell inflammatory response. Six cytokines were analyzed using commercially available ELISa kits.
* Statistical analysis was performed using Prism V.6.07, and all experiments were performed in triplicate.
* The study found that emissions from hTPs caused damage to human bronchial epithelial cells relative to air controls, with lower toxicity compared with combustible cigarettes but higher toxicity compared with electronic cigarettes.

Main Message:
The study suggests that the use of IqOS products may lead to increased risk of respiratory health impairment, although this risk may be reduced compared with smoking tobacco cigarettes. It is likely to be higher than risk from vaping electronic cigarettes. however, further research is needed to determine the long-term health effects of hTP product use. The study highlights the importance of considering the potential health impacts of emerging tobacco products and the need for rigorous scientific research to inform regulatory decisions.

Leigh, Noel J, Phillip L Tran, Richard J O’Connor, and Maciej Lukasz Goniewicz. “Cytotoxic Effects of heated Tobacco Products (hTP) on human Bronchial Epithelial Cells.” Tobacco Control 27, no. Suppl 1 (November 2018): s26–29. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2018-054317.