Presentations

      A six-month inhalation study in ApoE -/- mice to investigate cardiovascular and respiratory exposure effects of e-vapor aerosols compared with cigarette smoke

      Szostak, J.

      Conference date
      Mar 14, 2019
      Conference name
      Society of Toxicology (SOT) 2019
      Link to more information
      Topic
      Summary

      Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) is a risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Considerable attention has been given to the potential reduced harm of e-vapor products. ApoE-/- mice were used to evaluate atherosclerosis development, cardiac function, and aortic stiffness upon exposure to fresh air (Sham), CS from a 3R4F reference cigarette, or e-vapor aerosols generated using capillary aerosol generators from various e-vapors (“CARRIER” containing humectants [propylene glycol, glycerin], “BASE” containing humectants and nicotine, and “TEST” containing humectants, nicotine, and flavors). ApoE-/- mice were exposed for three hours per day for six months via whole-body inhalation. Measurement of lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, quantification of atherosclerotic plaque formed, and ultrasound scans of the hearts and aortas were performed.  Total serum and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were increased in the 3R4F group at Months 3 and 6 but were reduced in the BASE and TEST groups compared with the Sham or CARRIER groups at Month 6. In contrast to CS, exposure to any of e-vapor groups did not increase aortic plaque formation when compared with the Sham group. CS exposure was associated with an impairment of both systolic and diastolic cardiac function, as assessed by ejection fraction, fractional shortening, isovolumic relaxation time, and E/A ratio. A subtle impairment of systo-diastolic performance, as assessed by myocardial performance index, was observed in BASE and TEST groups when compared with the Sham or CARRIER groups. All groups containing nicotine (CS, BASE, and TEST) displayed increased stiffness of abdominal aorta and carotid artery, with the effect being most prominent in the CS group.  In conclusion, chronic CS exposure aggravated atherosclerosis, which was not observed in the e-vapor aerosol-exposed groups. Increased aortic stiffness was more pronounced in the CS-exposed group as compared with nicotine-containing e-vapor aerosol-exposed groups.

      PMIScience.com is operated by Philip Morris International for the purpose of publishing and disseminating scientific information about Philip Morris International’s efforts in support of its smoke-free product portfolio. This site is a global site for use by scientists, the public health and regulatory communities, and other stakeholders with an interest in tobacco policy. The purpose of this site is not advertising or marketing, nor is it directed at any specific market. It is not intended for use by consumers. New tobacco products sold in the United States are subject to FDA regulation; therefore the content of this site is not intended to make, and nor should it be construed as making, any product related claims in the United States without proper FDA authorization. ​
      ​
      Reduced Risk Products ("RRPs”) is the term we use to refer to products that present, are likely to present, or have the potential to present less risk of harm to smokers who switch to these products versus continuing smoking. PMI has a range of RRPs in various stages of development, scientific assessment and commercialization. All of our RRPs are smoke-free products that deliver nicotine with far lower quantities of harmful and potentially harmful constituents than found in cigarette smoke.