Summary
Introduction:
This text summarizes a research study examining the effects of chronic e-cigarette use on endothelial function and the blood milieu. The study aimed to determine if e-cigarette use causes changes in the blood that impair endothelial function, similar to the effects of cigarette smoking.
Key Points:
* The study compared brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in chronic e-cigarette users, cigarette smokers, and nonusers.
* The researchers also measured the effects of participants' sera and e-cigarette aerosol condensate on nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (h2O2) release and cell permeability in cultured endothelial cells.
* Chronic e-cigarette users and cigarette smokers both had lower FMD than nonusers.
* Sera from e-cigarette users and smokers reduced VEGF-induced NO secretion by ECs relative to nonuser sera, without significant reduction in endothelial NO synthase mRNa or protein levels.
* E-cigarette user sera caused increased endothelial release of h2O2 and more permeability than nonuser sera.
* E-cigarette users and smokers exhibited changes in circulating biomarkers of inflammation, thrombosis, and cell adhesion relative to nonusers, but with distinct profiles.
* E-cigarette user sera had higher concentrations of the RaGE ligands S100a8 and hMGB1 than smoker and nonuser sera, and RaGE inhibition reduced permeability induced by e-cigarette user sera but did not affect NO production.
Main Message:
The study suggests that chronic e-cigarette use impairs endothelial function and causes changes in the blood that inhibit endothelial NO release, similar to cigarette smoking. however, vaping also causes changes in the blood that increase microvascular endothelial permeability and may have a vaping-specific effect on intracellular oxidative state, which could lead to distinct vascular consequences. The findings highlight the need for further research on the long-term health effects of e-cigarette use and the potential risks associated with dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
Citation
Mohammadi L, han DD, Xu F, et al. Chronic E-Cigarette Use Impairs Endothelial Function on the Physiological and Cellular Levels. arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology. 2022;42(11):1333-1350. doi:10.1161/aTVBaha.121.317749
