Impact of e-cigarettes on colonic mucosa and the role of recovery: involvement of oxidative and inflammatory pathway.

Introduction:
This article explores the impact of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosol inhalation on the colon and potential systemic health effects. The study also examines how these effects change after smoking cessation. The research was conducted using male Wistar albino rats and involved exposing them to e-cigarette aerosol for four weeks, followed by a four-week recovery period.

Key Points:

* E-cigarette aerosol inhalation resulted in significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDa) and total nitric oxide (NO) levels in the colon, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels decreased.
* histological examination revealed distorted mucosa, loss of epithelial lining continuity, heavy inflammatory cell infiltration, and reduced goblet cells in the colon of exposed rats.
* Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF α) expression significantly increased in the colonic mucosa of exposed rats.
* after the recovery period, the colonic mucosal histological structure improved, and TNF α immunoexpression and oxidant/antioxidant balance were restored.
* The study suggests that e-cigarette aerosol inhalation can cause pathological alterations in the colonic mucosa, potentially due to oxidative and inflammatory stress.
* The cessation of exposure led to recovery, indicating that the harmful effects of e-cigarette aerosol inhalation may be reversible.

Main Message:
This study highlights the potential health hazards associated with e-cigarette use, particularly in the colon. The research suggests that e-cigarette aerosol inhalation can result in marked pathological alterations in the colonic mucosa due to oxidative and inflammatory stresses. however, the cessation of exposure can lead to recovery, indicating that the harmful effects may be reversible. These findings emphasize the need for further research on the direct short and long-term effects of e-cigarette exposure on various target sites and toxicological pathways to identify active components in e-vapor and develop appropriate regulatory measures.

Mohammed hO, ahmed alaa El-Din E, Farag aI. Impact of e-cigarettes on colonic mucosa and the role of recovery: involvement of oxidative and inflammatory pathway. Environmental science and pollution research international. 2021;28(45):64561-64571. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-15575-x