Cytotoxic and Inflammatory Effects of Electronic and Traditional Cigarettes on Oral Gingival Cells Using a Novel automated Smoking Instrument: an In Vitro Study.

Introduction:
This article presents a study on the effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) and traditional cigarettes (t-cigs) on human oral epithelial cells. The study compares the safety and cytotoxicity of e-cig liquid aerosols versus t-cig smoke using a novel automated smoking instrument to simulate realistic user puffing behaviors.

Key Points:

* The study used an automated smoking machine to expose air-liquid interface transwell cell cultures to standardized puff topography of reference t-cigs or commercially available e-cigs at different air dilutions.
* Cell viability, morphology, and death rate were evaluated with MTT and TUNEL assays.
* The in vitro study found that e-cigs and t-cigs indicated similar adverse effects by enhancing cytotoxicity and cell death in a dose-dependent manner.
* E-cig aerosol and t-cig smoke treatment expressed upregulation of inflammatory cytokines up to 3.0-fold.
* The study suggests that e-cig smoking may contribute to oral tissue-cell damage and tissue inflammation.
* The novel automated smoking machine allows for the production of e-cig aerosol and t-cig smoke to identify harmful effects in oral tissues in vitro.
* The findings support the need for further research on the potential oral health effects of e-cigarettes.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential oral health risks associated with e-cigarette use. The findings suggest that e-cig aerosols may have similar adverse effects as t-cig smoke on human oral epithelial cells, including enhanced cytotoxicity, cell death, and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines. The novel automated smoking machine provides a valuable tool for future research on the oral health effects of e-cigarettes. The study underscores the importance of informing the public and regulators about the potential risks associated with e-cigarette use.

Ramenzoni LL, Schneider a, Fox SC, et al. Cytotoxic and Inflammatory Effects of Electronic and Traditional Cigarettes on Oral Gingival Cells Using a Novel automated Smoking Instrument: an In Vitro Study. Toxics. 2022;10(4). doi:10.3390/toxics10040179