Summary
Introduction:
This article reports a study on the effects of prolonged exposure to vitamin E acetate (VEa) aerosol on mice and human alveolar macrophages. The study aimed to investigate the impact of VEa on lung injury, systemic inflammation, and efferocytosis, the process by which alveolar macrophages clear apoptotic cells. The researchers hypothesized that VEa exposure could lead to increased oxidative stress, lung injury, and impaired efferocytosis, thereby contributing to the development of lung disease.
Key Points:
* Mice exposed to VEa aerosol for 28 days had evidence of systemic inflammation and endothelial injury, similar to human patients with EVaLI (E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury).
* Exposure to VEa predisposed mice to additive injury from viral infection, leading to increased lung injury and body weight loss.
* VEa was hydrolyzed and oxidized in airspace cells, leading to increased oxidative stress in mice.
* human alveolar macrophages exposed to VEa aerosol had decreased efferocytosis, increased chemokine release, and increased cell death.
* VEa exposure led to increased Vit. E and VEq (oxidized Vit. E) in human alveolar macrophages, indicating intracellular oxidative stress.
* VEa remained in its original form and was not pyrolyzed to vitamin E plus ketene under standard vape settings.
* alveolar macrophages have the ability to hydrolyze VEa to Vit. E, suggesting that VEa itself is toxic.
Main Message:
The study highlights the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to VEa aerosol, including systemic inflammation, increased oxidative stress, and impaired efferocytosis. The findings suggest that VEa exposure could contribute to the development of lung disease, particularly in the presence of viral infection. The study also provides evidence that VEa itself is toxic, rather than being broken down into harmful byproducts during vaping. These results emphasize the need for further research into the safety of e-cigarettes and their components.
Citation
Matsumoto S, Traber MG, Leonard SW, et al. aerosolized vitamin E acetate causes oxidative injury in mice and in alveolar macrophages. american journal of physiology Lung cellular and molecular physiology. 2022;322(6):L771-L783. doi:10.1152/ajplung.00482.2021
