The analysis of cannabinoids in e-cigarette liquids using LC-HRAM-MS and LC-UV

Metabolic and Other Endocrine Elements with Regard to Lifestyle Choices: Focus on E-Cigarettes

Our objective was to overview recent data on metabolic/endocrine disorders with respect to e-cigarette (e-cig) use. This is a narrative review; we researched English, full-length, original articles on PubMed (between January 2020 and August 2023) by using different keywords in the area of metabolic/endocrine issues. We only included original clinical studies (n = 22) and excluded case reports and experimental studies. 3 studies (N1 = 22,385; N2 = 600,046; N3 = 5101) addressed prediabetes risk; N1 showed a 1.57-fold increased risk of dual vs. never smokers, a higher risk that was not confirmed in N2 (based on self-reported assessments). Current non-smokers (N1) who were dual smokers still have an increased odd of prediabetes (a 1.27-fold risk increase). N3 and another 2 studies addressed type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM): a lower prevalence of DM among dual users (3.3%) vs. cigarette smoking (5.9%) was identified. 6 studies investigated obesity profile (4 of them found positive correlations with e-cig use). One study (N4 = 373,781) showed that e-cig use was associated with obesity in the general population (OR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.3-2.1, p < 0.05); another (N5 = 7505, 0.82% were e-cig-only) showed that obesity had a higher prevalence in dual smokers (51%) vs. cig-only (41.2%, p < 0.05), while another (N6 = 3055) found that female (not male) e-cig smokers had higher body mass index vs. non-smokers. Data on metabolic syndrome (MS) are provided for dual smokers (n = 2): one case-control study found that female dual smokers had higher odds of MS than non-smokers. The need for awareness with respect to potential e-cig--associated medical issues should be part of modern medicine, including daily anamnesis. Whether the metabolic/endocrine frame is part of the general picture is yet to be determined. Surveillance protocols should help clinicians to easily access the medical background of one subject, including this specific matter of e-cig with/without conventional cigarettes smoking and other habits/lifestyle elements, especially when taking into consideration metabolism anomalies.

Recent advances in the analysis of electronic cigarette liquids and aerosols: Sample preparation and chromatographic characterization

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) usage has risen dramatically worldwide in recent years. It has been publicized as a safer alternative to the conventional combustible cigarette. This, however, has not yet been supported by robust toxicological research evidence. Analysis of the chemical compositions of e-liquids and generated aerosols is an important step in evaluating the toxicity effects of e-cigarettes. Currently, a broad spectrum of analytical methods have been employed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical compositions of e-cigarette liquids and aerosols. The aim of this article is to review the advances in the chromatographic characterization of chemical composition of the latter in the recent five years. In addition, sample preparation methods for e-liquids and aerosols are surveyed and discussed. A study of the relevant literature indicates that, expectedly, gas chromatography and liquid chromatography with a variety of detection systems, particularly mass spectrometry, have been the main analytical techniques used in this field. Sample preparation procedures primarily include headspace sampling, dilute-and-shoot approach, liquid-liquid extraction and sorbent-based extraction for e-liquids and for aerosols (the latter usually with laboratory-built collection devices). Some challenges of current e-cigarette analytical research, and an overview on prospective work are also presented.