Summary
Introduction:
This text presents a study that examines the effects of heat-not-burn (hNB) tobacco products, specifically IqOS, on human airway epithelial and smooth muscle cells, compared to traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The study uses in vitro experiments to assess cell cytotoxicity, chemokine release, extracellular matrix (ECM) release, and mitochondrial respiration.
Key Points:
* The study used human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas-2B) and primary human airway smooth muscle (aSM) cells.
* Three types of exposure were tested: cigarette smoke extract (CSE), e-cigarette (eCig) vapour, and IqOS aerosol.
* The study found that all three exposures (CSE, eCig, and IqOS) showed cellular toxicity with increasing concentration.
* CSE exposure significantly reduced cell viability and increased LDh release at 1, 5, and 10%, and eCig exposure showed similar toxicity at 5 and 10%.
* IqOS exposure was as toxic as CSE at 1, 5, and 10%, suggesting that IqOS is as effective as CSE in inducing chemokine release from both types of airway cells.
* CSE, eCig, and IqOS exposure in a concentration-dependent manner increased collagen 1 and fibronectin release with both Beas-2B and aSM cells.
* CSE, eCig, and IqOS exposure increased the extracellular acidification rate (a measure of glycolysis) and proton leak (a measure of mitochondrial uncoupling) in both Beas-2B and aSM cells.
Main Message:
The study's findings suggest that IqOS exposure is as detrimental as cigarette smoking and vaping to human lung cells. The study analyzed inflammation, ECM release, and mitochondrial respiration mechanisms and found that like e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, IqOS exposure contributes to altered mitochondrial function, which can further exaggerate airway inflammation, airway remodeling, and lung cancer. The study's results highlight the potential health risks associated with using hNB tobacco products and the need for further research and regulation.
Citation
Sohal, Sukhwinder Singh, Mathew Suji Eapen, Vegi G.M. Naidu, and Pawan Sharma. “IqOS Exposure Impairs human airway Cell homeostasis: Direct Comparison with Traditional Cigarette and e-Cigarette.” ERJ Open Research 5, no. 1 (February 2019): 00159–02018. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00159-2018.
