Examining the Influence of Electronic Cigarette Aerosols on Cell Viability and Membrane Integrity for Lung Epithelial Cells
KAPIAMBA KASHALA FABRICE, Hsin-Yin Chuang, Yue-Wern Huang, Yang Wang,
Missouri University of Science and Technology Abstract Number: 233
Working Group: Health-Related Aerosols
AbstractChemical characterizations of electronic cigarette (EC) aerosols have revealed considerable concentrations of nicotine, flavoring chemicals, and metal particles (Kapiamba et al., 2022) that may lead to health complications in case of excessive and extended use. Several studies in vivo have revealed that exposure to EC aerosols induces reactive oxidative species, DNA damage, and cell death in vascular endothelial cells ad tissue explants. However, due to the methods for aerosol exposure, few studies mimicked environments and conditions similar to the actual aerosol exposure in the lungs/respiratory system.
This study examines the cell viability and membrane integrity of the lung epithelial cells (A549) exposed to primary and secondhand EC aerosols. We exposed the cells to EC aerosols through an air-liquid interface and used two types of EC devices (VUSE and VOOPOO). In addition, we assessed the effects of nicotine concentration in the vape liquid and the EC power settings. Results show that 24 hours after EC aerosol exposure to primary and simulated secondhand aerosols, cell viability declined to approximately 45% and 85%, respectively. We also found that cell viability is inversely proportional to power setting and nicotine concentration in the vape liquid. Moreover, the 30-puff smoke exposure reduced transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) to 66% of the control group with a mean absolute value of ∼61 Ω*cm
2 compared to ∼94 Ω*cm
2 of the control group. Our study adds value to the current knowledge on the toxicology of EC aerosols under more realistic testing conditions.
Kapiamba et al., accepted. doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00411