The Molecular Pathways of Lung Damage by E-Cigarettes in Male Wistar Rats

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyse the stages of lung tissue damage caused by exposure to electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) smoke. The negative health effects of e-cigarettes remain debatable. Several studies have shown the adverse effects, but others opine that e-cigarettes are safer to use than their 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: An experimental study was conducted between March and September 2019 in Airlangga University using a control and an experimental group of male Wistar rats to assess the levels of malondialdehyde, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, matrix metalloprotein-8 and type-2 collagen. The results were obtained using immunohistochemical staining methods on alveolar macrophages through Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. RESULTS: The results showed that exposure to e-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 to e-cigarette smoke can cause cell damage in lung tissues.