Electronic Cigarette Vapor and the Induction of the Xenobiotic Response in Human Lung Epithelial Cells

Overview

Despite their growing popularity among young consumers and their widespread availability, a consensus has yet to be reached regarding the effects of electronic cigarettes on human health. In this study, a number of assays were used to assess the mutagenicity of electronic cigarettes and their effects on two cell stress pathways, the xenobiotic response and the NF-kB pathway, in an effort to evaluate the validity of the claim that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. e-Cigarette vapor condensate was not found to be directly mutagenic in the Ames assay or to activate the NF-kB pathway in a reporter gene assay, suggesting some safety advantages over traditional cigarettes. However, e-cigarette vapor was found to induce EROD activity in lung epithelial cells across all tested flavors and nicotine levels, indicating activation of the xenobiotic response. Treatment of lung epithelial cells with e-cigarette vapor was also found to decrease cell viability. These data indicate that e-cigarettes are not entirely safe, and changes to e-liquid composition would need to be made in order for the safety claim to be substantiated.

Competition history

• AJAS 2018 Category not listed

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