Effect of e-cigarettes on human lung inflammation and blood vessels
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Study of ELEctronic Cigarette Toxicity in a human in vivo model of pulmonary inflammation and vascular dysfunction (SELECT)
IRAS ID
198924
Contact name
Murali Shyamsundar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Electronic cigarettes (EC) are battery-powered devices that vaporise a variety of solutions, with or without nicotine, to simulate cigarette smoking. Since their introduction, EC use has increased substantially. Perhaps most concerning is the increased use amongst adolescents. Despite their increasing popularity, the harmful effects of ECs in the lung and other systems are poorly studied.
Early studies suggest that ECs are not harmless. ECs produce fine particles, which could deposit in the lungs and lead to harm, indeed animal studies of ECs have been associated with a number of lung toxicities. Furthermore the vapour reduces indoor air quality by increasing the concentrations of particulate matter and increases concentrations of substances known to cause cancer. There is also evidence that similar damage also occurs in blood vessels due to EC use.
The aim of this project is to investigate if EC users have increased inflammation in the lungs when compared to non-users in response to a mild inhaled irritant and if it affects blood vessel function. This inhaled irritant model has been used in other research projects and our research team has completed similar trials in the past using this model.
In summary there is limited understanding of the effects of ECs in humans and this study will investigate the effects of EC on lung inflammation and blood vessel function.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
16/NI/0106
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion