Is there a correlation between the changes in airway inflammation and the changes in respiratory mechanics after vaping in patients with asthma?

Abstract

BACKGROUND Electronic cigarettes (ECs) have been promoted as alternatives to traditional cigarettes. AIM To investigate ECs’ effects on respiratory system, especially in patients with respiratory diseases. METHODS We randomly selected 25 smokers with stable moderate asthma and matched them with 25 healthy smokers. All were subjucted to pulmonary function tests (PFTs), impulse oscillometry (IOS), fraction exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO), exhaled breathe condensate (EBC) and biomarker measurements before and after vaping one nicotine-containing EC. RESULTS The increase in FeNO 30 minutes after EC, reflecting airway inflammation, significantly correlated with increase of residual volume (RV), total lung capacity (TLC), respiratory impedance at 5 Hz (Z5Hz) and respiratory resistance at 5 and 20 Hz (R5Hz and R20Hz). No significant correlations were found between EBC biomarkers' changes and respiratory mechanics. CONCLUSION This is the first study demonstrating that the changes in airway inflammation caused by EC have direct effects in respiratory mechanics of asthmatic patients.