Aromas of electronic cigarettes weaken lung function

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – An American study warned that chemicals widely used as electronic cigarette flavors can weaken lung function that protects them from diseases.

The study was conducted by researchers at the TH Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University and published its findings in the latest issue of Scientific Reports.

Electronic cigarettes heat a nicotine-containing liquid inside a heater, which turns into inhaled nicotine vapor by smokers instead of stomach burns, as it does. is the case in conventional cigarettes.

The researchers studied the side effects of two chemicals used in more than 90% of them, namely "diacetyl" and "pentanidion". "Acetylcholine" is used in seasoning foods such as buttercup, baked vegetables and sweets, and is a safe ingredient in foods, but the evidence suggests that it can be dangerous by inhalation.

The use of this compound in electronic cigarettes has been badociated with bronchiolitis, a lung disease called "popcorn".

In this new study, researchers used new laboratory techniques to examine the effect of dichotyl acetate and pentanidone on the epithelial cells of a system that closely simulates human airways in the body.

The researchers found that these compounds were badociated with changes in gene expression that could weaken pulmonary cilia production and function.

Eyelashes are microscopic follicles that extend to the surface of the pulmonary mucosa and play a key role in maintaining the human respiratory tract free of mucus and dirt and allow the person to breathe easily and without irritation.

These eyelashes are the first line of defense against lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
"Despite the frequent use of flavored chemicals in electronic cooking, the mechanism of their impact on health is poorly known," said Dr. Quan Lo, head of the research team.

"Our new study has revealed that these chemicals could harm the eyelashes that are the first line of defense of the lungs," he said.

Previous studies have shown that the flavors used in electronic cigarettes cause inflammatory and oxidative responses in lung cells and that their effects extend to the blood. They are toxic and lead to the programmed death of white blood cells.

The WHO also issued a report in 2015 warning that e-cigarettes contain toxic substances harmful to health.

According to the organization, tobacco kills nearly 6 million people every year in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, including more than 5 million smokers and former tobacco users, and about 600,000 non-smokers. exposed to second-hand smoke.

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