Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of E-Cigarette Generated aerosols Containing Diverse Flavoring Products and Nicotine in Oral Epithelial Cell Lines.

Introduction:
This text provides an in-depth analysis of a study examining the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of e-cigarette-generated aerosols containing diverse flavoring products with and without nicotine in oral epithelial cell lines. The study aims to evaluate the dose response of various e-cigarette aerosols and their impact on cell viability, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity. The results of this study will contribute to the ongoing discourse regarding the safety and regulation of e-cigarettes.

Key Points:

* The study used three immortalized oral epithelial cell lines and exposed them to unflavored and flavored e-cigarette aerosols with and without nicotine.
* Dose response studies were conducted using an aerosol delivery system that exposed the cells to varying concentrations of aerosols.
* Cytotoxicity was assessed using the Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) assay, while oxidative stress was measured using the ROS-Glo and Thiobarbituric acid Reactive Substances (TBaRs) assays.
* Genotoxicity was evaluated using the alkaline comet assay and the micronucleus assay.
* The results showed that three e-liquids (Blue Pucker, Jamestown, and Love Potion) caused significant cytotoxicity in more than one cell line.
* Nine products induced significant levels of oxidative stress, while lipid peroxidation was less common but still present in some products.
* Micronuclei formation, indicative of genotoxicity, was increased up to 5-fold for some products, with Blue Pucker being the most genotoxic e-liquid.
* Based on the results, a potency score was derived, identifying Blue Pucker and Love Potion as the most hazardous e-liquids.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential hazards of some flavored vaping products, with Blue Pucker and Love Potion identified as the most hazardous e-liquids. The results suggest that these products can induce significant levels of oxidative stress and genotoxicity, which could contribute to adverse health effects in chronic users. These findings underscore the importance of regulating e-cigarettes and their components, particularly flavoring products, to ensure the safety and health of users.

Tellez CS, Juri DE, Phillips LM, et al. Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of E-Cigarette Generated aerosols Containing Diverse Flavoring Products and Nicotine in Oral Epithelial Cell Lines. Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology. 2021;179(2):220-228. doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfaa174