Summary
Background: Electronic cigarettes (eC) may not be entirely benign.
There is a lack of data on the effect of a single acute exposure of eC
vapor using various heating sources and power settings upon lung
injury. The purpose of this study was to determine if an acute exposure
with eC vapor heated with different heating elements and power
levels induced inflammatory changes in the lungs and heart.
Methods: Rats were exposed to pure air or received a single, 4-h
exposure to eC vapor. The devices used either a stainless steel (SS) or
nichrome (NC) heating element randomized to a low or high atomization
power (45 versus 70 W). Rats were euthanized within 48 h of
exposure.
Results: The eC groups showed accumulation of inflammatory cells
in bronchial lumen, near the pleura, and within the alveolar spaces.
The numbers of inflammatory cells per field in the lung parenchyma
were significantly greater in the rats exposed to eC groups vs. the air
group. There were significantly higher inflammatory gene expression
changes in the lungs of animals assigned to 70 W power. We observed
that eC vapor generated using burnt coils were toxic and could cause
acute respiratory distress and myocarditis.
Conclusion: In conclusion, one 4-h exposure to eC vapor, in the absence
of vitamin E oil or nicotine, significantly increased lung inflammation.
Effects were seen after exposures to vapor generated using
Citation
Shi J, Dai W, Chavez J, et al. One acute Exposure to E-Cigarette Smoke Using Various heating Elements and Power Levels Induces Pulmonary Inflammation. Cardiology research. 2022;13(6):323-332. doi:10.14740/cr1425
