E-Cigarette Use Has Biological Effect on Lungs

Chronic e-cigarette use, or “vaping,” takes a biological toll on the lungs and may have clinical implications for the development of chronic lung disease, according to a new study.

For their study, the researchers assessed healthy non-smokers, cigarette smokers, and e-cigarette users. Research bronchoscopies, bronchial brush biopsies, and lavage samples were collected from each patient for proteomic investigation.
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Results indicated that e-cigarette users had seemingly friable and erythematous airways. According to biopsy sample findings, approximately 300 proteins were differentially expressed in the airways of smokers and e-cigarette users. Of these, 78 proteins were commonly altered in both groups, while 113 were uniquely altered in e-cigarette users.

The researchers also noted that e-liquids could rapidly enter cells and that propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin (PG/VG) was associated with reduced membrane fluidity and impaired protein diffusion.

“We conclude that chronic vaping exerts marked biological effects on the lung and that these effects may in part be mediated by the PG/VG base,” the researchers concluded. “These changes are likely not harmless and may have clinical implications for the development of chronic lung disease. Further studies will be required to determine the full extent of vaping on the lung.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Ghosh A, Coakley RC, Mascenik T, et al. Chronic e-cigarette exposure alters the human bronchial epithelial proteome [Published online February 26, 2018]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201710-2033OC.