Experiments conducted in humans and mice describe a mechanism that shows how and why the use of e-cigarettes could damage the lungs, brain and cardiovascular system.
A team of German scientists has investigated whether e-cigarettes can damage vital organs and why. The results of their research are published in theEuropean Heart Journal. Led by Thomas Münzel, a physician and researcher at the University Medical Center Mainz (Germany), the study first examined whether e-cigarette vapors could affect blood circulation and arterial stiffness.
To do this, the researchers observed 20 healthy smokers before and 15 minutes after using an e-cigarette. This experiment showed that the use of an e-cigarette was likely to increase the heart rate of the participants, to make their arteries more rigid and to affect the functioning of the endothelium, a layer of blood vessels which prevents toxic substances from entering the bloodstream.
The second experiment consisted of exposing 151 mice to e-cigarette vapor for 20 minutes, six times a day over a period of 1, 3 or 5 days. At the end of these periods, the researchers discovered that the artificial vapors damaged the blood vessels of the rodents.
According to the study, the damage was caused by an enzyme called NOX-2, which plays a key role in regulating cellular health. “We found that a toxic chemical called acrolein, which is produced when the liquid in the e-cigarette is vaporized, activates the harmful effects of NOX-2,” explains Dr. Münzel.
Discourage young people from using e-cigarettes
The study authors also gave some of the rodents macitentan, a treatment used to treat endothelial dysfunction and high blood pressure. The other mice received bepridil, a drug designed to prevent abnormal cell death attributed to high blood pressure or angina.
“These mice did not show endothelial dysfunction, abnormal cell death, or abnormal inflammation when exposed to e-cigarette vapors. The beneficial effects of macitentan and bepridil indicate that e-cigarettes have the ability to trigger the constriction of blood vessels and alter the antioxidant and survival systems of our cells”, analyzes Dr. Münzel.
Pay attention to who finances the studies
In view of these results, the researchers insist on the need to protect young people and to strengthen the legislation concerning the use of electronic cigarette. They also warn that several studies presenting vaping as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes may be funded by the e-cigarette industry.
“Our data may indicate that e-cigarettes are not a healthy alternative to traditional cigarettes and that their perceived ‘safety’ is not warranted. In addition, we still do not have the hindsight concerning the side effects on health of the use of e-cigarettes in the long term”, conclude the scientists.
