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According to new research, flavoring ingredients and additives contained in electronic cigarettes can increase inflammation and impair lung function.
The study, published before the publication in the journal American Journal of Physiology – Cellular and Molecular Physiology of the Lungs, also found that a short-term exposure to the electronic cigarette was sufficient to cause lung inflammation similar or worse than that observed in the use of the traditional cigarette.
Electronic cigarettes, popular devices powered by batteries that simulate smoking a traditional cigarette, dispense liquid chemical vapor into a refillable cartridge. Refills usually contain propylene glycol, nicotine and often aromas.
Propylene glycol – a colorless and odorless food additive – is found in many processed foods and beverages. It is also used as a solvent in many pharmaceutical products.
Devices and refills of electronic cigarettes are not well regulated and the long-term effects of their use on health are not well known.
The researchers studied several groups of mice that were exposed to the entire body at different combinations of chemicals four times a day. Each exposure session was separated by 30-minute smoke-free intervals: Group 1 was exposed to cigarette smoke ("cigarette"); group two was exposed to electronic cigarette vapor containing propylene glycol and vegetable glycerol, an odorless liquid derived from vegetable oils ("propylene"); group three was exposed to electronic cigarette vapors containing propylene glycol and nicotine ("propylene and nicotine"); and group four was exposed to electronic cigarette vapor containing propylene glycol, nicotine and tobacco flavorings ("flavoring").
Groups of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes were compared to a control group exposed to medical grade air. Some animals in each group were exposed to cigarette smoke or vapors of electronic cigarettes in the short term (three days), while others were exposed in the long term (four weeks).
The research team discovered an increase in markers of inflammation, mucus production and impaired lung function in the propylene, propylene and nicotine groups and aromatizing after three days. However, the propylene group had less negative effects with long-term exposure, suggesting that the additive alone causes only temporary irritation that eventually disappears with continued use.
In addition, two inflammatory proteins only increased in the aroma group, suggesting that some of the many flavoring components on the market may not be safe even in the short term.
The state of the groups of electronic cigarettes compared to the group of cigarettes surprised the researchers. The level of oxidative stress in the group of flavors was equal to or greater than that of the group of cigarettes. However, respiratory mechanics were affected only in mice exposed to cigarette smoke and not to electronic cigarette vapor after prolonged treatment.
"The harmful effects observed in the lungs on [e-cigarette] Exposure to vapors in animal models underscores the need for further research on the safety and toxicity of these rapidly expanding devices around the world, "the researchers wrote.
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