In Vitro Consequences of Electronic-Cigarette Flavoring Exposure on the Immature Lung.
Background: The developing lung is uniquely susceptible and may be at increased risk of injury with exposure to e-cigarette constituents. We hypothesize that cellular toxicity and airway and vascular responses with exposure to flavored refill solutions may be altered in the immature lung. Methods: Fetal, neonatal, and adult ovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) were exposed to popular flavored nicotine-free e-cigarette refill solutions (menthol, strawberry, tobacco, and vanilla) and unflavored solvents: propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG). Viability was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Brochodilation and vasoreactivity were determined on isolated ovine bronchial rings (BR) and pulmonary arteries (PA). Results: Neither PG or VG impacted viability of immature or adult cells; however, exposure to menthol and strawberry flavored solutions increased cell death. Neonatal cells were uniquely susceptible to menthol flavoring-induced toxicity, and all four flavorings demonstrated lower lethal doses (LD50) in immature PASMC. Exposure to flavored solutions induced bronchodilation of neonatal BR, while only menthol induced airway relaxation in adults. In contrast, PG/VG and flavored solutions did not impact vasoreactivity with the exception of menthol-induced relaxation of adult PAs. Conclusion: The immature lung is uniquely susceptible to cellular toxicity and altered airway responses with exposure to common flavored e-cigarette solutions.
['Berkelhamer|Sara K|SK|', 'Helman|Justin M|JM|', 'Gugino|Sylvia F|SF|', 'Leigh|Noel J|NJ|', 'Lakshminrusimha|Satyan|S|', 'Goniewicz|Maciej L|ML|']
D000818:Animals D000831:Animals, Newborn D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems D047109:Fetal Development D005421:Flavoring Agents D066298:In Vitro Techniques D008168:Lung D008610:Menthol D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle D011651:Pulmonary Artery D012756:Sheep D018675:Toxicity Tests
immature lung toxicity electronic cigarette flavorings electronic cigarettes lung development