The Molecular Pathways of Lung Damage by E-Cigarettes in Male Wistar Rats

This study aimed to analyse the stages of lung tissue damage caused by exposure to electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) smoke. The negative health effects of e-cigarettes remain debatable. Several studies have shown the adverse effects, but others opine that e-cigarettes are safer to use than their tobacco counterparts. There is, however, a possibility that the long-term health effects, such as respiratory and even kidney function impairment, are presently not obvious. The amounts of increased free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines from e-cigarettes result in various physiological disorders, which trigger cell damage and even cell death in the body.

An experimental study was conducted between March and September 2019 in Airlangga University using a control and an experimental group of male Wistar rats to assess the levels of malondialdehyde, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, matrix metalloprotein-8 and type-2 collagen. The results were obtained using immunohistochemical staining methods on alveolar macrophages through Hematoxylin-Eosin staining.

The results showed that exposure to e-cigarette smoke caused an increase in free radicals, triggered an inflammatory process and degraded the type-2 collagen present in the lung tissue.

Exposure to e-cigarette smoke can cause cell damage in lung tissues.