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May 24, 2019
PMI’s Latest Study Indicates E-Cigarettes Induce Less Biological Responses Associated with Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases Than Cigarettes
- Landmark 6-month study demonstrating that e-cigarette vapors induce significantly lower biological responses associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases compared with cigarette smoke.
- This first-of-its-kind study evaluated the impact of e-cigarette vapor, with and without nicotine, on the risks of respiratory and cardiovascular disease in a mouse model.
- These results add to the existing evidence that switching smokers to smoke-free products, which can deliver nicotine with significantly lower levels of toxicants, can be part of a successful tobacco harm reduction strategy for adult smokers worldwide.
LAUSANNE,
According to the
“These results are a powerful addition to the evidence showing that
switching to e-cigarettes is a much better choice than continuing to
smoke,” said Dr.
Background
The combustion of tobacco produces over 6,000 chemicals, of which almost 100 are harmful or potentially harmful. The overwhelming scientific evidence links the exposure to these chemicals, rather than nicotine, as the primary cause of smoking-related disease. Therefore, in recent years, e-cigarettes have been gaining popularity as a potential alternative to cigarettes. Currently, however, there are limited data on the long-term disease risk profile of e-cigarettes or their components compared with that of cigarette smoke. In general, e-cigarettes consist of aerosol formers (propylene glycol [PG] and/or vegetable glycerin [VG]), nicotine, and flavor ingredients. Therefore the study is relevant for products that contain these components. In contrast with cigarettes, e-cigarettes deliver nicotine without the smoke constituents that arise from the combustion of tobacco.
About the Study
This ApoE-/- mouse study was a 6-month inhalation study designed to assess the impact of exposure to e-cigarette vapor (with and without nicotine and flavor) on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Female ApoE-/- mice were exposed to air, cigarette smoke, or 3 formulations of e-cigarette vapors (CARRIER: PG/VG/water; BASE: CARRIER plus 4% nicotine; TEST: BASE plus flavors) for 3 hours/day, 5 days/week for 6 months via a whole-body inhalation system. The study measured a number of disease endpoints, and the results indicate that after 6 months, e-cigarette vapor with and without nicotine and flavor:
- Resulted in lower levels of lung inflammation, structural damage, and molecular changes in the lungs and induced lower atherosclerotic plaque formation and molecular changes in aorta and heart tissue compared to cigarette smoke.
- The study also detected an effect of nicotine on pulse wave velocity (an expected effect of nicotine); however, when compared with cigarettes, the effect is significantly less for e-cigarette exposures (with and without nicotine).
- Overall, the study demonstrated that e-cigarette vapor induce significantly lower biological responses associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases compared with cigarette smoke.
The full results of this study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
About PMI’s Research
These results contribute to the totality of evidence on smoke-free
products and were produced as part of PMI’s extensive research and
assessment program. This program is inspired by the well-recognized
practices of the pharmaceutical industry and in line with the draft
guidance of the U.S.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005491/en/
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