A brand new study is being conducted by the scientists behind E-Cigarette-Research.com to examine the effect of e-cig vapor extract on cultured heart cells. Researchers already know that analog cigarette smoke has a visible toxic effect on heart cells, but this new study was created to determine whether electronic cigarette vapor would also have this same cytotoxic effect. Researchers plan to compare the effects of cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor on myocardial cells to reveal whether both are equally harmful.
For the vapor test, researchers chose an eGO e-cig battery and a 510T atomizer. To amplify results, they also tried vaping using a Lavatube device at 4.7 volts using the same atomizer. During the study, 15 e-liquids will be tested and 4 of them will undergo dual testing with both regular and high voltage. Using a flask of myocardial cell medium, vapor is drawn in by a vacuum pump that creates negative pressure on the atomizer tip.
The researchers are simulating a 4 second puff with one minute in between puffs. A total of 200mg of e-liquid is evaporated to accomplish a one percent concentration of the vapor into the myocardial cells. For the cigarette test, smoke was extracted from three cigarettes using the ISO method. The cellular medium was allowed to remain with the extract from e-cig vapor and cigarette smoke for 24 hours; then the cells were compared with a clear cell medium to look for changes.
While the study is not yet complete, there are already some visible results. In the culture with cigarette smoke, the cellular viability was only 3.9 percent after 24 hours. However, the culture with e-cig vapor had a viability of 100 percent. This is a major difference, showing that e-cig vapor does not have the same damaging effect on heart cells that is associated with cigarette smoke.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death associated with smoking. According to Science Daily, 40% of deaths related to smoking come from coronary disease. By studying the impact of electronic cigarette vapor on cultures of heart cells, this study is highlighting the positive health implications of choosing e-cigarettes over tobacco cigarette smoking.
Further results will be released at E-Cigarette-Research.com when the study is complete.