E-cigarette flavoring chemicals are toxic and cause inflammation in white blood cells, according to new study

A recently published study discovered that chemicals and liquids that are used to flavor e-cigarettes could result in a “significant inflammation” of monocytes, a type of white blood cell in the body, and that mixing e-cigarette flavors produces a much worse effect than having just one flavor. The study, which was published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Physiology, adds weight to growing evidence on the dangers of e-cigarettes to a person’s health.

• The study, which was led by researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Centre, investigated the truth behind the claims saying that vaping e-cigarettes, which were touted to be nicotine-free, was safer than conventional cigarettes.
• Earlier studies had revealed that the flavors used in e-cigarettes were responsible for inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in lung cells. Moreover, there was also an increased level of oxidative stress found in the blood of people who smoked e-cigarettes.
• The current study aimed to validate these claims, particularly its effect on monocytes, which are white blood cells that are a part of the immune system.
• Researchers found out that flavoring chemicals and e-liquids resulted in increased levels of biomarkers for inflammation and tissue damage from oxidative stress. Moreover, some chemicals also caused significant cell death.

The study concluded that flavoring chemicals resulted in a significant inflammation of monocytic blood cells.

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Journal Reference:

Muthumalage T., Prinz M., Ansah K.O., Gerloff J., Sundar I.K., Rahman I. INFLAMMATORY AND OXIDATIVE RESPONSES INDUCED BY EXPOSURE TO COMMONLY USED E-CIGARETTE FLAVORING CHEMICALS AND FLAVORED E-LIQUIDS WITHOUT NICOTINE. Frontiers in Physiology. 2018;8. DOI: doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.01130