Time course of changes in inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in lung tissue of mice induced by exposure to electronic cigarette aerosol

Karem H. Alzoubi; Omar F. Khabour; Nour A. Al-Sawalha; Nareg Karaoghlanian; Alan Shihadeh; Thomas Eissenberg

Toxicology Reports (Jan 2022)

Time course of changes in inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in lung tissue of mice induced by exposure to electronic cigarette aerosol

Karem H. Alzoubi,
Omar F. Khabour,
Nour A. Al-Sawalha,
Nareg Karaoghlanian,
Alan Shihadeh,
Thomas Eissenberg

Affiliations

Karem H. Alzoubi: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; Correspondence to: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan.
Omar F. Khabour: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Nour A. Al-Sawalha: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Nareg Karaoghlanian: Mechanical Engineering Department, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
Alan Shihadeh: Mechanical Engineering Department, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
Thomas Eissenberg: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9
pp. 1484 – 1490

Abstract

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Significance: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become a popular way to smoke all over the world. Chronic exposure to e-cigarette aerosol may influence lung health. This study uses an animal model to explore the time course of the effect of exposure to e-cigarette aerosols on the lung. Methods: Lung samples were collected after exposure of Balb/c mice to e-cigarette aerosols for 1 h/day (6 times/week) for 1, 2 and 4 weeks and compared to sham-exposed controls. Examined biomarkers including inflammatory cells, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Results: Exposure of animals to e-cigarette aerosols induced significant increases (P < 0.05) in total inflammatory cells, eosinophils, macrophages and TNFα in the lung tissue after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of exposure. Furthermore, level of IL-10 significantly decreased, whereas levels of neutrophils and basophils significantly increased (P < 0.05) after 1 week of exposure. Exposure of animals to e-cigarette aerosol also induced significant decreases (P < 0.05) in the GSH/GSSG ratio, and GPx levels after 2 and 4 weeks of exposures. The activity of catalase was also reduced (P < 0.05) after 4 weeks of exposure. Level of TBARS showed a trend of elevation with time and it reached a significant elevation after 4 weeks (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Current results indicate that inhalation of unflavored e-cigarette aerosol might be associated with inflammation in lung tissue that worsen as the duration of exposure increases. Further experiments including more time points, histopathology and pulmonary physiology experiments are needed to confirm the current results.

Published in Toxicology Reports

ISSN: 2214-7500 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Ireland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine: Toxicology. Poisons
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/toxicology-reports/

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