The electronic cigarette would harm the health of the mouth and would be a risk factor for cancers, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Journal of Cellular Physiology.
The team of Professor Mahmoud Rouabhia, from the Faculty of Dentistry at Laval University in Canada, exposed gum epithelium cells to electronic cigarette smoke, to simulate what happens in a person’s mouth. during a vaping session.
The researchers placed epithelial cells in a small box containing a little liquid which acted as saliva. Electronic cigarette smoke was introduced into this chamber using a pump at the rate of two “inhalations” of 5 seconds per minute for 15 minutes each day.
Vaping, a risk factor for cancer?
“The oral epithelium is the body’s first line of defense against the outside world, explains Professor Mahmoud Rouabhia. Its integrity protects us in particular against the 500 or so species of microorganisms that live in our mouths. “
Scientists observed under a microscope that the percentage of dead or dying cells, which is 2% in cultures of unexposed cells, increases to 18%, 40% and 53% after 1, 2 and 3 days of exposure, respectively. to vaping smoke.
“Contrary to what one might think, e-cigarette vapor is not just water,” explains Dr Rouabhia. Although it does not contain tar compounds like regular cigarette smoke, it exposes the tissues of the mouth and respiratory tract to compounds produced by the heating of vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, and the aromas of nicotine in th -liquid cigarette.
“Disruption of the oral barrier that provides our defense can increase the risk of infection, inflammation and periodontal disease. In the longer term, it could lead to an increased risk of cancers. This is what we want to verify in the rest of our work. “
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