In Vitro effects of alternative smoking devices on oral cells: Electronic cigarette and heated tobacco product versus tobacco smoke.

Introduction:
This summary will provide an overview of a scientific study that investigates the biological effects of tobacco smoke, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), and heated tobacco product aerosols on human gingival fibroblasts and oral keratinocytes. The study compares the effects of these devices on cell viability, morphology, migration, apoptosis, cell cycle, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Key Points:

* The study used extracts of tobacco smoke, e-cigarette, and heated tobacco product aerosols at different concentrations.
* human gingival fibroblasts and oral keratinocytes were treated with the extracts and analyzed for cell viability, morphology, migration, apoptosis, cell cycle, and EMT-related gene expression.
* Tobacco smoke extract significantly inhibited cell viability, caused morphological alterations, and induced an increase in cell death. E-cigarette extracts did not cause any alterations or damage. heated tobacco product extract induced proliferation and altered cycle analysis.
* E-cigarette extracts did not show any cytotoxic or carcinogenic effects on human oral cells, while heated tobacco product extracts showed reduced viability, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
* The study also compared the three different devices performed on respiratory cell populations and found that the heated tobacco product had a higher cytotoxicity than the e-cigarette, but lower than traditional cigarettes.
* The main components of e-cigarettes are propylene glycol, glycerol, nicotine, flavourings, free radicals, and carbonyls. heated tobacco product aerosols consist of nicotine, water, glycerine, tar, carbonyls, carbon monoxide, free radicals, and nitrosamines.
* The study suggests that comparing the different cigarette extracts, tobacco smoke turns out to be the most harmful, e-cigarette did not determine morphological and functional alterations, and heated tobacco product must be carefully investigated for its possible clinical effects on oral cell populations.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential harmful effects of alternative smoking devices such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products on human oral cells. While e-cigarette extracts did not show any significant effects on cell viability, morphology, migration, apoptosis, cell cycle, and EMT-related gene expression, heated tobacco product extracts induced proliferation and altered cycle analysis. The study emphasizes the need for further investigation of the clinical effects of heated tobacco products on oral cell populations. Overall, the study provides valuable insights for regulatory agencies and healthcare providers to consider when evaluating the safety and health impacts of alternative smoking devices.

Marinucci L, Coniglio M, Valenti C, et al. In Vitro effects of alternative smoking devices on oral cells: Electronic cigarette and heated tobacco product versus tobacco smoke. archives of oral biology. 2022;144:105550. doi:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105550