Researchers from the University of Birmingham concluded that electronic cigarette addiction negatively affects the immune system. It turns out that the vapor from e-cigarettes slows down neutrophils, cells that fight infections. Scientists with their discoveries shared In the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI).
The research team took neutrophil samples from the blood of volunteers who had never smoked regular cigarettes or used e-cigarettes. The immune cells were then isolated and treated with e-cigarette vapor to simulate the effects of forty puffs, which is the average daily vapor intake of a person who vapes. Half of the samples were exposed to nicotine-containing vapor and the other half to nicotine-free alternatives.
As a result of the experiment, cells in both groups remained alive, but their activities decreased significantly. It was determined that the reason for the slowdown in neutrophils was the increase in F-actin level. This protein is found inside cells and is responsible for changing the shape of neutrophils. Due to the changed shape, immune cells were unable to act effectively and perform protective functions. It turned out that the vapor of nicotine-free e-liquids had the same effect on neutrophils.
It was like that before EstablishedIt turned out that e-cigarettes disrupt the functioning of the lungs and heart.