The Molecular Pathways of Lung Damage by E-Cigarette in Experimental Mice

Abstract

Objectives: The negative health effects of electronic cigarettes remain debatable. Several studies have shown the adverse effects, but there are others who opine that electronic cigarettes are safer to use than the 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. Methods: The aim of this study is to analyze the stages of lung tissue damage caused by exposure to electronic cigarette smoke. An experimental method was used herein with a control and a experiment group of male wistar rats to assess the levels of malondialdehyde, interleukin-8, interleukin-10, matrix metalloprotein-8, and collagen type 2. The results were obtained using immunohistochemical staining methods on alveolar macrophages through Hematoxylin-Eosin (H & E) staining. Results: The results showed that exposure to electronic cigarette smoke caused an increase in free radicals, triggered an inflammatory process, and degraded the type 2 collagen present in the lung tissue. Conclusion: Exposure E-cigarette can cause cell damage in lung tissue

Keyword: E-Cigarettes; Lung Tissue; Immunohistochemistry; Hematoxylin-Eosin.