A 6-month systems toxicology inhalation study in ApoE^−/− mice demonstrates reduced cardiovascular effects of E-vapor aerosols compared with cigarette smoke

Abstract

Analysis of key urinary oxidative stress markers and proinflammatory cytokines showed an absence of oxidative stress and inflammation in the animals exposed to E-vapor aerosols. Conversely, animals exposed to conventional cigarette smoke had high urinary levels of these markers. When compared with conventional cigarette smoke, E-vapor aerosols induced smaller atherosclerotic plaque surface area and volume. Systolic and diastolic cardiac function, as well as endothelial function, were further significantly less affected by electronic cigarette aerosols than conventional cigarette smoke. Molecular analysis demonstrated that E-vapor aerosols induce significantly smaller transcriptomic dysregulation in the heart and aorta compared with conventional cigarette smoke.

Nicotine in Senescence and Atherosclerosis

“…Another recent study by Szostak et al also found that e-cigarette aerosols were less harmful to the CV system than the smoke from cigarettes [73]. This study included five groups of ApoE −/− mice-control, test cigarette, carrier aerosol, nicotine-containing base aerosol, and test vape aerosol with nicotine and flavoring.…”

“…Murine models are most commonly used for nicotine and tobacco studies [70][71][72][73][74], although other animal models, including primates and C. elegans, have been used for behavioral and metabolic studies [75][76][77]. Species differences exist in nicotine metabolism, and non-human primates metabolize nicotine in a similar manner to humans [78].…”

“…A major consideration is also the source of funding. Two very recent studies were funded by Philips Morris International (PMI) [73,240]. Historically, PMI is well-known for selling Marlboro tobacco products, but now claims to be "building a smoke-free future" by delivering smoke-free alternative products to consumers.…”

“…Specifically, 6 months represents about a quarter of a mice's lifespan and 20 years for a human. Females were chosen in all three of these studies because, in mammals, females are more at risk for smoke and possibly vape-related diseases such as COPD, as well as atherosclerosis, although the literature is inconclusive [73,74,240].…”

World health observances in September 2020: sepsis, the lung and heart, and pulmonary fibrosis in focus

“…The APS portfolio of publications includes our sister journal, the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, which also contributes publications on the physiology of lung-heart interactions. These contributions include stateof-the-art Reviews, such as a recent treatise on cardiovascular adaptations to particle inhalation exposure (23); as well as Research Articles, which largely deal with the cardiac consequences of pulmonary hypertension (42), or the impact of heated tobacco products and vaping on the cardiovascular system (40). Thus, together with the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology under the stewardship of Editor-in-Chief Dr. Irving H. Zucker, our Journal is one of two journals within the APS publications portfolio that regularly contributes reports to the expanding body of literature on the cardiac causes and consequences of lung disease.…”