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Ruszkiewicz JA, Zhang Z, Gonçalves FM, Tizabi Y, Zelikoff JT, Aschner M. Neurotoxicity of e-cigarettes. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 138:111245. [PMID: 32145355 PMCID: PMC7089837 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It appears that electronic cigarettes (EC) are a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarette (CC) smoking, as they generate substantially lower levels of harmful carcinogens and other toxic compounds. Thus, switching from CC to EC may be beneficial for smokers. However, recent accounts of EC- or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) has raised concerns regarding their adverse health effects. Additionally, the increasing popularity of EC among vulnerable populations, such as adolescents and pregnant women, calls for further EC safety evaluation. In this state-of-the-art review, we provide an update on recent findings regarding the neurological effects induced by EC exposure. Moreover, we discuss possible neurotoxic effects of nicotine and numerous other chemicals which are inherent both to e-liquids and EC aerosols. We conclude that in recognizing pertinent issues associated with EC usage, both government and scientific researchers must address this public health issue with utmost urgency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna A Ruszkiewicz
- Molecular Toxicology Group, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ziyan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Filipe Marques Gonçalves
- Biochemistry Graduate Program, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington DC, United States
| | - Judith T Zelikoff
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Manhattan, NY, United States
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States.
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Short-term E-cigarette toxicity effects on brain cognitive memory functions and inflammatory responses in mice. Toxicol Res 2020; 36:267-273. [PMID: 32685431 DOI: 10.1007/s43188-019-00031-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) is associated with an increased risk of several neurological diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. At present, commercialization of E-cigarettes (ECs) is increasing, and they are advertised as a less harmful nicotine-delivery system. There are, however, limited studies regarding the neurotoxicity effects of ECs on the brain, which remains a subject of debate. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the in vivo effects of short-term EC vapor exposure on the brain and compare them with the effects of cigarette smoke (CS). BALB/c mice were exposed to air, CS, and EC for 14 days. We then assessed the inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and cognitive functions of the mice by using maze tests. Cognitive spatial tests showed that the mice exposed to CS and ECs had delayed time in finding food rewards. EC exposure demonstrated no improvement in spatial memory learning to find the food reward on the next day. This implies that CS and EC exposure possibly causes damage to the olfactory system. Notably, EC exposure potentially causes abnormalities in mice memory functions. Histological staining of the cerebral cortex of mice brain in the EC-exposed group demonstrated inflammatory responses such as necrosis and cytoplasm vacuolization. Immunohistochemical staining revealed high expression of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in both the EC- and CS-exposed groups. Hence, we conclude that ECs share similar toxicity profiles as CS, which potentially negatively impact brain function.
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Jenssen BP, Boykan R. Electronic Cigarettes and Youth in the United States: A Call to Action (at the Local, National and Global Levels). CHILDREN-BASEL 2019; 6:children6020030. [PMID: 30791645 PMCID: PMC6406299 DOI: 10.3390/children6020030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
E-cigarettes have emerged and soared in popularity in the past ten years, making them the most common tobacco product used among youth in the United States (US). In this review, we discuss what the Surgeon General has called a public health “epidemic”—the precipitous increase in youth use of e-cigarettes and the health consequences of this behavior. Further, we review tobacco control policy efforts (e.g., Tobacco 21, banning flavors, advertising restrictions, and clean indoor air laws)—efforts proven to be critical in reducing cigarette smoking and smoking-related disease and death among US children and adults—including their potential and challenges regarding managing and mitigating the emergence of e-cigarettes. Finally, we close with a discussion of the efforts of transnational tobacco companies to rebrand themselves using e-cigarettes and other new products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Jenssen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and PolicyLab and the Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Rachel Boykan
- Department of Pediatrics, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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Harris AC, Muelken P, Haave Z, Swain Y, Smethells JR, LeSage MG. Propylene glycol, a major electronic cigarette constituent, attenuates the adverse effects of high-dose nicotine as measured by intracranial self-stimulation in rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 193:162-168. [PMID: 30384324 PMCID: PMC6278948 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-nicotine tobacco constituents may contribute to the abuse liability of tobacco products. We previously reported that electronic cigarette (EC) refill liquids containing nicotine and a range of non-nicotine constituents attenuated the anhedonic/aversive effects of nicotine in an intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) model. The alcohol propylene glycol (PG) is a primary ingredient in these and other EC liquids, yet its abuse potential has not been established. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of parenteral administration of PG alone and PG combined with nicotine on ICSS in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS PG alone did not affect ICSS at concentrations up to 100%. PG (25% or 60%) did not affect nicotine's reinforcement-enhancing (ICSS threshold-decreasing) effects at low to moderate nicotine doses, but attenuated nicotine's reinforcement-attenuating/aversive (ICSS threshold-increasing) effects at a high nicotine dose. PG concentrations similar to those in EC liquid doses used in our previous studies (1% or 3%) modestly attenuated the ICSS threshold-elevating effects of a high nicotine dose. CONCLUSIONS PG attenuated elevations in ICSS thresholds induced by high-dose nicotine, which may reflect an attenuation of nicotine's acute aversive/anhedonic and/or toxic effects. PG may have contributed to the attenuated ICSS threshold-elevating effects of EC liquids reported previously. Further examination of PG in models of addiction and toxicity is needed to understand the consequences of EC use and to inform the development of EC product standards by the FDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Harris
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN USA; Departments of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Variety Club Research Center (VCRC), 401 East River Parkway, 1(st) Floor - Suite 131, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Departments of Psychology, University of Minnesota Medical School, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Peter Muelken
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Zach Haave
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN USA; Departments of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, 6-145 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yayi Swain
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN USA; Departments of Psychology, University of Minnesota Medical School, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - John R Smethells
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN USA; Departments of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Fairview Riverside West Building, 2312 S. 6th St., Floor 2, Suite F-275, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - Mark G LeSage
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN USA; Departments of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Variety Club Research Center (VCRC), 401 East River Parkway, 1(st) Floor - Suite 131, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Departments of Psychology, University of Minnesota Medical School, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Abstract
Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes as they are commonly called, have gained wide acceptance among adolescents, especially those with sweet flavors such as bubble gum and cheesecake. Although health effects of e-cigarettes have not been well characterized, their use increases a teen's exposure to nicotine and may serve as a gateway to traditional cigarettes. This article outlines the basics of e-cigarettes and potential health hazards, followed by selected literature on teens' perceptions of e-cigarettes, as well as motivational interviewing strategies that can be used in talking to teens about using electronic cigarettes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vania Modesto-Lowe
- 1 Connecticut Valley Hospital, Middletown, CT, USA.,2 University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.,3 Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, USA
| | - Camille Alvarado
- 2 University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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Qasim H, Karim ZA, Rivera JO, Khasawneh FT, Alshbool FZ. Impact of Electronic Cigarettes on the Cardiovascular System. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:JAHA.117.006353. [PMID: 28855171 PMCID: PMC5634286 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.006353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Qasim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX
| | - Zubair A Karim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX
| | - Jose O Rivera
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX
| | - Fadi T Khasawneh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX
| | - Fatima Z Alshbool
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX
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