Vape not as harmless as some people may think

Vape and E-cigarettes, according to researchers at UNC School of Medicine, appear to trigger a unique and possibly damaging immune response in addition to some of the ones triggered by regular cigarettes, as published in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.  

Immune responses are biological reactions of fluids and cells to a substance in the body that it doesn’t recognize as its own. Immune responses are factors that contribute to diseases, such as lung diseases brought on by cigarette use.

This study investigated possible biomarkers of harm to the lungs by evaluating sputum samples from 15 vapers, 14 cigarette smokers, and 15 non-smokers. The study had some limitations such as that of the e-cigarette users 12 reported that they had smoked cigarettes in the past, and 5 reported that they on occasion smoked cigarettes.

The findings were that e-cigarette users uniquely showed significant increases in neutrophil related proteins in their airways, which left unchecked may contribute to inflammatory lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and COPD. NETs are associated with cell death in the endothelium and epithelial which is the tissue lining organs and blood vessels. Researchers note that more research is needed to determine if the increase is associated with inflammatory diseases.

It was also observed that some of the same negative effects and consequences of smoking cigarettes was also produced by e-cigarettes. Both users displayed increases in biomarkers of oxidative stress and activation of defense mechanisms associated with lung disease, bronchiectasis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and wheeze.

Mehmet Kesimer, PhD says that the research shows that e-cigarettes have a signature of harm that is similar to cigarettes and yet unique in others and suggests that e-cigarettes may not be healthier as an alternative to smoking cigarettes.