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Reidel B, Abdelwahab S, Wrennall JA, Clapp P, Beers JL, Jackson KD, Tarran R, Kesimer M. Vaping additives cannabinoid oil and vitamin E acetate adhere to and damage the human airway epithelium. J Appl Toxicol 2023; 43:680-693. [PMID: 36372912 PMCID: PMC10101868 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
E-cigarette, or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), is a severe respiratory disorder that caused a sudden outbreak of hospitalized young people in 2019. Using cannabis oil containing vaping products, including vitamin E acetate contaminants, was found to be strongly associated with EVALI. However, the underlying tissue impacts of the condition are still largely unknown. Here, we focused on the vehicle cannabinoid oil (CBD oil) and contaminant vitamin E acetate (VEA) effects on airway epithelial cells. Primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cultures were exposed to e-liquid aerosols that contained CBD oil and VEA in combination or the common e-liquid components PG/VG with and without nicotine. Cell viability analysis indicated dramatically increased cell death counts after 3 days of CBD exposure, and this effect was even higher after CBD + VEA exposure. Microscopic examination of the cultures revealed cannabinoid and VEA depositions on the epithelial surfaces and cannabinoid accumulation in exposed cells, followed by cell death. These observations were supported by proteomic analysis of the cell secretions that exhibited increases in known markers of airway epithelial toxicity, such as xenobiotic enzymes, factors related to oxidative stress response, and cell death indicators. Overall, our study provides insights into the association between cannabinoid oil and vitamin E acetate vaping and lung injury. Collectively, our results suggest that the adherent accumulation of CBD oil on airway surfaces and the cellular uptake of both CBD oil- and VEA-containing condensates cause elevated metabolic stress, leading to increased cell death rates in human airway epithelial cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Reidel
- Marsico Lung Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
| | - Sabri Abdelwahab
- Marsico Lung Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
| | - Joe Alexander Wrennall
- Marsico Lung Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
| | - Phillip Clapp
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
| | - Jessica L. Beers
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
| | - Klarissa D. Jackson
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
| | - Robert Tarran
- Marsico Lung Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
| | - Mehmet Kesimer
- Marsico Lung Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
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Marrocco A, Singh D, Christiani DC, Demokritou P. E-cigarette vaping associated acute lung injury (EVALI): state of science and future research needs. Crit Rev Toxicol 2022; 52:188-220. [PMID: 35822508 PMCID: PMC9716650 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2022.2082918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
"E-Cigarette (e-cig) Vaping-Associated Acute Lung Injury" (EVALI) has been linked to vitamin-E-acetate (VEA) and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), due to their presence in patients' e-cigs and biological samples. Lacking standardized methodologies for patients' data collection and comprehensive physicochemical/toxicological studies using real-world-vapor exposures, very little data are available, thus the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of EVALI is still unknown. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and critical appraisal of existing literature on clinical/epidemiological features and physicochemical-toxicological characterization of vaping emissions associated with EVALI. The literature review of 161 medical case reports revealed that the predominant demographic pattern was healthy white male, adolescent, or young adult, vaping illicit/informal THC-containing e-cigs. The main histopathologic pattern consisted of diffuse alveolar damage with bilateral ground-glass-opacities at chest radiograph/CT, and increased number of macrophages or neutrophils and foamy-macrophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage. The chemical analysis of THC/VEA e-cig vapors showed a chemical difference between THC/VEA and the single THC or VEA. The chemical characterization of vapors from counterfeit THC-based e-cigs or in-house-prepared e-liquids using either cannabidiol (CBD), VEA, or medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), identified many toxicants, such as carbonyls, volatile organic compounds, terpenes, silicon compounds, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides and various industrial/manufacturing/automotive-related chemicals. There is very scarce published toxicological data on emissions from THC/VEA e-liquids. However, CBD, MCT, and VEA emissions exert varying degrees of cytotoxicity, inflammation, and lung damage, depending on puffing topography and cell line. Major knowledge gaps were identified, including the need for more systematic-standardized epidemiological surveys, comprehensive physicochemical characterization of real-world e-cig emissions, and mechanistic studies linking emission properties to specific toxicological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Marrocco
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dilpreet Singh
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David C. Christiani
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Philip Demokritou
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Environmental Occupational Health Sciences Institute, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, 170 Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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Gonsalves CL, Zhu JW, Kam AJ. Diagnosis and Acute Management of E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr 2021; 228:260-270. [PMID: 32961169 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess quantitative data on the presentation, investigative findings, patterns of lung injury, and interventions of pediatric cases of e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) in the acute care setting. STUDY DESIGN A literature search using keywords was performed on April 17, 2020, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Three thousand five hundred fifty-eight articles were retrieved from MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase via OVID, CINAHL via EBSCO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Studies were evaluated for inclusion based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria by 2 independent reviewers. RESULTS The search yielded a total of 3558 individual results, 145 of which were evaluated by full text review, resulting in 23 articles included in this systematic review. Two of these articles were identified by manual search of article references. A total of 61 cases of EVALI were described, and 10 major patterns of lung injury were identified for which presenting symptoms, diagnostic and laboratory investigations, interventions, and outcomes were synthesized. CONCLUSIONS Cases of EVALI in the pediatric population have been reported in patients as young as 13 years and often present with respiratory, constitutional, abdominal, and cardiovascular signs and symptoms. Diagnostic findings vary based on the underlying lung injury pattern. However, typical patterns of common findings were identified, including the presence of ground-glass opacities on computed tomography scan and leukocytosis. Mainstays of treatment include the use of corticosteroids, antibiotics, and ventilatory support, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Outcomes range from complete or near complete recovery of lung function to death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarelle L Gonsalves
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jie Wei Zhu
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - April J Kam
- Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Israel AK, Velez MJ, Staicu SA, Ambrosini R, McGraw M, Agrawal T. A Unique Case of Secondary Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis after E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-associated Lung Injury. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020; 202:890-893. [PMID: 32392077 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202002-0252le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Moises J Velez
- University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, New York
| | | | | | - Matthew McGraw
- University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, New York
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McAlinden KD, Eapen MS, Lu W, Sharma P, Sohal SS. The rise of electronic nicotine delivery systems and the emergence of electronic-cigarette-driven disease. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2020; 319:L585-L595. [PMID: 32726146 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00160.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2019, the United States experienced the emergence of the vaping-associated lung injury (VALI) epidemic. Vaping is now known to result in the development and progression of severe lung disease in the young and healthy. Lack of regulation on electronic cigarettes in the United States has resulted in over 2,000 patients and 68 deaths. We examine the clinical representation of VALI and the delve into the scientific evidence of how deadly exposure to electronic cigarettes can be. E-cigarette vapor is shown to affect numerous cellular processes, cellular metabolism, and cause DNA damage (which has implications for cancer). E-cigarette use is associated with a higher risk of developing crippling lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which would develop several years from now, increasing the already existent smoking-related burden. The role of vaping and virus susceptibility is yet to be determined; however, vaping can increase the virulence and inflammatory potential of several lung pathogens and is also linked to an increased risk of pneumonia. As it has emerged for cigarette smoking, great caution should also be given to vaping in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, e-cigarettes are continually promoted and perceived as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. E-cigarettes and their modifiable nature are harmful, as the lungs are not designed for the chronic inhalation of e-cigarette vapor. It is of interest that e-cigarettes have been shown to be of no help with smoking cessation. A true danger lies in vaping, which, if ignored, will lead to disastrous future costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kielan Darcy McAlinden
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Mathew Suji Eapen
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Wenying Lu
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Pawan Sharma
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sukhwinder Singh Sohal
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
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Chemical Constituents Involved in E-Cigarette, or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8020025. [PMID: 32260052 PMCID: PMC7355865 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control declared e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) a national outbreak due to the high incidence of emergency department admissions and deaths. We have identified chemical constituents in e-cig counterfeit cartridges and compared these to medical-grade and CBD containing cartridges. Apart from vitamin E acetate (VEA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), other potential toxicants were identified including solvent-derived hydrocarbons, silicon conjugated compounds, various terpenes, pesticides/plasticizers/polycaprolactones, and metals. This study provides additional insights into the chemicals associated with EVALI cartridges and thus may contribute to the underlying disease mechanism of acute lung injury.
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Tzortzi A, Kapetanstrataki M, Evangelopoulou V, Behrakis P. A Systematic Literature Review of E-Cigarette-Related Illness and Injury: Not Just for the Respirologist. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E2248. [PMID: 32230711 PMCID: PMC7177608 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Following the recent electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) illness outbreak, the current review aimed to collect all related clinical cases for study and analysis and provide a critical synopsis of the proposed injury mechanism. Adhering to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis) guidelines, e-cigarette-related clinical cases were identified via Google Scholar and PubMed databases. Additionally, references of published case reports and previous review papers were manually searched, revealing 159 publications presenting e-cigarette-related case reports and 19 reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 238 individual cases were identified; 53% traumatic injuries due to e-cigarette explosion or self-combustion, 24% respiratory cases, and 12% poisonings. Additional cases pertained to oral, cardiovascular, immunologic, hematologic, allergic reactions, infant complications, and altered medication levels. Case reports were mainly published between 2016-2019 (78%). The oldest case, a lipoid pneumonia, was published in 2012. The current review showed that e-cigarette-related health effects extend beyond the acute lung injury syndrome, including traumatic, thermal injuries and acute intoxications. Physicians should be aware of the distinct clinical presentations and be trained to respond and treat effectively. Regulators and public health authorities should address the regulatory gap regarding electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and novel tobacco products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tzortzi
- George D. Behrakis Research Lab, Hellenic Cancer Society, 17B Ipitou Street, 10557 Athens, Greece; (V.E.); (P.B.)
- Institute of Public Health, The American College of Greece, 17B Ipitou Street, 10557 Athens, Greece
| | - Melpo Kapetanstrataki
- George D. Behrakis Research Lab, Hellenic Cancer Society, 17B Ipitou Street, 10557 Athens, Greece; (V.E.); (P.B.)
| | - Vaso Evangelopoulou
- George D. Behrakis Research Lab, Hellenic Cancer Society, 17B Ipitou Street, 10557 Athens, Greece; (V.E.); (P.B.)
| | - Panagiotis Behrakis
- George D. Behrakis Research Lab, Hellenic Cancer Society, 17B Ipitou Street, 10557 Athens, Greece; (V.E.); (P.B.)
- Institute of Public Health, The American College of Greece, 17B Ipitou Street, 10557 Athens, Greece
- Pulmonary Department, Athens Medical Center, Distomou 5-7, Marousi, 15125 Athens, Greece
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