Viability Assay and Potential Effects of E-juice On Rat Lung Cells

Abstract

The 2015 National Youth Tobacco Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, estimated that over 7 million adolescents have tried e-cigarettes. With limited data about the health effects of e-cigarette use, also known as “vaping,” the goal of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity of commonly used vape components on rat lung epithelial (RLE) cells. RLE cells were seeded and dilutions of vape base, nicotine, cannabidiol (CBD) oil, and a diacetyl-containing flavoring, “Space Jam” were added to RLE cells and incubated for five days. An MTT viability assay was used to determine whether these vape components were toxic to RLE cells. In general, vape base was not toxic to cells, except at the most concentrated 5% dilution. Cells incubated in 5% and 2.5% nicotine were significantly less viable than control. Cells exposed to 1.25% nicotine were not different from control, while cells incubated in 0.625% nicotine were significantly more viable than control. All dilutions (2.5%, 1.25%, and 0.625%) of CBD oil were toxic to cells. The more concentrated “space jam” flavoring treatments (2.5% and 1.25%) were toxic, while the 0.625% treatment was not different than control. These results provide greater insight into the potential harmful effects of vape components used in e-cigarettes. Given the dramatic increase in the use of e-cigarettes, it is important to continue in-depth studies on the toxicity of vape components.