Free Radical Production in the Smoking of E-Cigarettes and their Possible Effects in human health.

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study examining the potential health effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The study focuses on the production of free radicals and their impact on human health. The researchers also analyzed the levels of malondialdehyde (MDa), total salivary mucins (SM), and micronuclei (MN) in buccal smear cells.

Key Points:

* The study involved three groups: one group using e-cigarettes with nicotine (e-nicotine), a second group using e-cigarettes without nicotine (e-vapor), and a control group of non-smokers.
* The results showed that both e-nicotine and e-vapor groups had significantly higher levels of MDa compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05).
* The e-nicotine group had the highest and statistically significant amount of salivary mucins compared to both e-vapor and control groups (P value 0.00496).
* Both e-nicotine and e-vapor groups had significantly higher MN scores compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05).
* The researchers suggest that nicotine in e-cigarettes may promote a pro-inflammatory process, leading to hypersecretion of mucins.
* The study also found that smoking electronic cigarettes involves some risks of a carcinogenic nature, as indicated by the presence of micronuclei in oral buccal cells.
* The researchers note that further research is needed to fully understand the balance of costs and benefits of e-cigarettes in reducing harm or inducing harm at the personal and population levels.

Main Message:
The study suggests that electronic cigarettes may have potential health risks associated with the production of free radicals, increased levels of malondialdehyde, and micronuclei in buccal smear cells. While more research is needed, the study emphasizes the importance of monitoring the long-term effects of e-cigarette use on human health. It is crucial to carefully evaluate the balance between the benefits and risks of e-cigarettes in promoting cessation of combustible tobacco product use and reducing harm at both the individual and population levels.

Menicagli R, Marotta O, Serra R. Free Radical Production in the Smoking of E-Cigarettes and their Possible Effects in human health. International journal of preventive medicine. 2020;11:53. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_424_19