Summary
Introduction:
This article presents a comparative in vitro toxicological assessment of electronic vaping product (EVP) e-liquids and aerosols with tobacco cigarette smoke. The study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic responses of two commercial EVPs when compared to tobacco smoke. Twelve commercial products were tested as e-liquids and aerosols, along with two experimental base liquids containing 1.2% and 2.4% nicotine.
Key Points:
1. The study used an in vitro battery of established assays to examine the mutagenicity, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity of e-liquids and their aerosols from two commercial closed device platforms.
2. The testing was conducted using well-defined ingredients and device specifications, focusing on the biological effects of nicotine, flavour, and device within each exposure group.
3. Differences in toxicity between the same product delivered as an aerosol and e-liquid, and based on dose-per-dose comparison, were not assessed in this study.
4. The 3R4F reference cigarette was used as a control for EVP aerosol exposure.
5. The neutral red uptake (NRU) assay showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity for whole undiluted EVP aerosols compared to tobacco smoke.
6. In the bacterial reverse mutation (ames) and in vitro micronucleus (IVM) assays, exposures to e-liquids and EVP aerosols, with and without nicotine and a range of flavourings, showed no mutagenic or genotoxic effects compared to tobacco smoke.
7. The reduced in vitro toxicological responses of the EVPs support their potential role as harm reduction tools for adult smokers.
Main Message:
The study's findings indicate that EVPs have reduced in vitro toxicological responses compared to tobacco smoke, further supporting the notion that high-quality EVPs can serve as harm reduction tools for adult smokers. This evidence may encourage smokers to switch to less harmful nicotine products, ultimately contributing to improved public health.
Citation
Wieczorek R, Phillips G, Czekala L, et al. a comparative in vitro toxicity assessment of electronic vaping product e-liquids and aerosols with tobacco cigarette smoke. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRa. 2020;66:104866. doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2020.104866
