Electronic cigarette exposure on insulin sensitivity of ApoE gene knockout mice

INTRODUCTION: The current study aimed to investigate the effects of electronic cigarettes on insulin sensibility in ApoE gene knockout mice. METHODS: In total, 48 male ApoE gene knockout mice were randomly divided into four exposure groups: 1) electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) containing 12 mg/mL of nicotine, 2) e-cigarette without nicotine (0mg), 3) traditional cigarette (cigarette), and 4) fresh air (control). The first three groups were exposed to the associated smoke for 18 weeks. The body weight was recorded regularly in the four groups. After the last exposure, the concentrations of lipids, hs-CRP and TNF-α in serum were detected and the effect of electronic cigarettes on insulin tolerance was measured. RESULTS: The levels of serum lipid, hs-CRP and TNF-α in the e-cigarette, 0mg and cigarette groups were significantly increased compared with those in the control group (p<0.05). Also, the insulin tolerance in the e-cigarette, 0mg and cigarette groups was significantly decreased compared to that in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Electronic cigarettes showed comparable effects to traditional cigarettes in influencing the metabolic functions in ApoE gene knockout mice.