Project description:Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained their popularity as a substitute for cigarettes or cigars. Despite the widespread use of flavoring chemicals in e-cigarettes, the health impacts of the flavoring compounds, in particular their effects on critical cellular function in the lung, remain largely unknown. The goal of this study was to identify transcriptomic changes and impacted biological pathways in primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) exposed to flavoring chemicals (diacetyl or 2,3-pentanedione) and to flavored e-cigarette smoke. An airway-liquid interface culturing method was used to differentiate primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) into mature epithelial cells, which were then treated with 25 ppm diacetyl, 100 ppm 2,3 pentanedione, or e-cigarette smoke solution containing 2 ppm diacetyl. Poly(A)-selected RNA-Seq libraries were prepared with the PrepX RNA-Seq for Illumina Library kit. An Illumina HiSeq 2500 instrument was used to generate 50 base pair single-end reads. STAR was used to align sequencing reads to the hg38 reference genome, and HTSeq was used to quantify transcript levels. DESeq2 was used to perform differential expression analysis.
Project description:Our study demonstrated that e-cigarettes, both with and without nicotine, induced sex-dependent gene expression change. This RNA-seq study examined the expression profiles of brain frontal cortex samples from mice exposed to classic tobacco flavored blu™ e-cigarettes during gestation and lactation.
Project description:Background/objectiveThe heating of the fluids used in electronic cigarettes ("e-cigarettes") used to create "vaping" aerosols is capable of causing a wide range of degradation reaction products. We investigated formation of benzene (an important human carcinogen) from e-cigarette fluids containing propylene glycol (PG), glycerol (GL), benzoic acid, the flavor chemical benzaldehyde, and nicotine.Methods/main resultsThree e-cigarette devices were used: the JUULTM "pod" system (provides no user accessible settings other than flavor cartridge choice), and two refill tank systems that allowed a range of user accessible power settings. Benzene in the e-cigarette aerosols was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Benzene formation was ND (not detected) in the JUUL system. In the two tank systems benzene was found to form from propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GL), and from the additives benzoic acid and benzaldehyde, especially at high power settings. With 50:50 PG+GL, for tank device 1 at 6W and 13W, the formed benzene concentrations were 1.9 and 750 μg/m3. For tank device 2, at 6W and 25W, the formed concentrations were ND and 1.8 μg/m3. With benzoic acid and benzaldehyde at ~10 mg/mL, for tank device 1, values at 13W were as high as 5000 μg/m3. For tank device 2 at 25W, all values were ≤~100 μg/m3. These values may be compared with what can be expected in a conventional (tobacco) cigarette, namely 200,000 μg/m3. Thus, the risks from benzene will be lower from e-cigarettes than from conventional cigarettes. However, ambient benzene air concentrations in the U.S. have typically been 1 μg/m3, so that benzene has been named the largest single known cancer-risk air toxic in the U.S. For non-smokers, chronically repeated exposure to benzene from e-cigarettes at levels such as 100 or higher μg/m3 will not be of negligible risk.
Project description:BackgroundE-cigarette (EC) use is increasing exponentially worldwide. The early cardiovascular effects of switching from tobacco cigarettes (TC) to EC in chronic smokers is unknown. Meta-analysis of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) studies indicate 13% lower pooled, adjusted relative risks of cardiovascular events with every 1% improvement in FMD.ObjectivesThis study sought to determine the early vascular impact of switching from TC to EC in chronic smokers.MethodsThe authors conducted a prospective, randomized control trial with a parallel nonrandomized preference cohort and blinded endpoint of smokers ≥18 years of age who had smoked ≥15 cigarettes/day for ≥2 years and were free from established cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomized to EC with nicotine or EC without nicotine for 1 month. Those unwilling to quit continued with TC in a parallel preference arm. A propensity score analysis was done to adjust for differences between the randomized and preference arms. Vascular function was assessed by FMD and pulse wave velocity. Compliance with EC was measured by carbon monoxide levels.ResultsWithin 1 month of switching from TC to EC, there was a significant improvement in endothelial function (linear trend β = 0.73%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41 to 1.05; p < 0.0001; TC vs. EC combined: 1.49%; 95% CI: 0.93 to 2.04; p < 0.0001) and vascular stiffness (-0.529 m/s; 95% CI: -0.946 to -0.112; p = 0.014). Females benefited from switching more than males did in every between-group comparison. Those who complied best with EC switch demonstrated the largest improvement. There was no difference in vascular effects between EC with and without nicotine within the study timeframe.ConclusionsTC smokers, particularly females, demonstrate significant improvement in vascular health within 1 month of switching from TC to EC. Switching from TC to EC may be considered a harms reduction measure. (Vascular Effects of Regular Cigarettes Versus Electronic Cigarette Use [VESUVIUS]; NCT02878421; ISRCTN59133298).