Cellular effects of nicotine salt-containing e-liquids.

Introduction:
This article reports on a study examining the cellular effects of nicotine salt-containing e-liquids, specifically those produced by JUUL. The researchers aimed to investigate the impact of these e-liquids on cell viability and calcium signaling in hEK293T cells and ThP-1 macrophage-like cells.

Key Points:

* JUUL e-liquids caused significant cytotoxic effects, with the Mint flavor being the most cytotoxic.
* The Mint flavored e-liquid also caused a significant elevation in cytoplasmic calcium.
* JUUL e-liquids were found to permeate live cells, indicating that intracellular organelles are directly exposed to e-liquids.
* Further studies identified the endoplasmic reticulum as the source of e-liquid-induced changes in cytoplasmic calcium.
* Nicotine salt-based e-liquids cause cytotoxicity and elevate cytoplasmic calcium, indicating that they can exert biological effects beyond what would be expected with nicotine alone.
* These effects are flavor-dependent.
* The researchers propose that flavored e-liquids be reassessed for potential lung toxicity.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential harmful effects of nicotine salt-containing e-liquids, specifically those produced by JUUL. The researchers found that these e-liquids can cause cytotoxicity and elevate cytoplasmic calcium in a flavor-dependent manner. The Mint flavored e-liquid was found to be the most cytotoxic and to cause the greatest elevation in cytoplasmic calcium. The study also found that JUUL e-liquids permeate live cells, indicating that intracellular organelles are directly exposed to e-liquids. The researchers suggest that flavored e-liquids be reassessed for potential lung toxicity, given the harmful effects they observed in this study. These findings have important implications for the regulation of e-cigarettes and highlight the need for further research into the safety of these products.

Ghosh a, Beyazcicek O, Davis ES, Onyenwoke RU, Tarran R. Cellular effects of nicotine salt-containing e-liquids. Journal of applied toxicology : JaT. 2021;41(3):493-505. doi:10.1002/jat.4060