Comparative effects between electronic and cigarette smoke in human keratinocytes and epithelial lung cells (Toxicology in Vitro)
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A study published in Toxicology in Vitro and online on Science Direct in August 2014, shows the comparative effects of e-cigarette and cigarette smoke.
Skin (HaCaT) and lung (A549) cells, the main targets of cigarette smoke (CS), were exposed to e-CIG vapor and CS using an in vitro system. The cytotoxic effect of the exposure was analyzed in both cell types by ultrastructural morphology, Trypan Blue exclusion test and LDH assay. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by the Bio-Plex assay.
Based on the results of the study, exposure to e-cigarette vapors results in far less toxic than exposure to regular cigarette. In fact, besides the deleterious effect of flavor and nicotine, even the humectants alone are able to evocate cytokines release.
Here are some Highlights fro the study.
- Users of electronic cigarettes are increasing
- The use of flavor in electronic cigarette affect cel viability and cell ultrastructure
- Even vaping alone can stimulate pro inflammatory cytokines release in cells
- Electronic cigarettes might not be harmless and affect cell physiology
Read the full study on Science Direct.