A Comparative Study of the Effects of Electronic Cigarette and Traditional Cigarette on the Pulmonary Functions of C57BL/6 Male Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes (E-cigs) are in a controversial state. Although E-cig aerosol generally contains fewer harmful substances than smoke from burned traditional cigarettes, aerosol along with other compounds of the E-cigs may also affect lung functions and promote the development of lung-related diseases. We investigated the effects of E-cig on the pulmonary functions of male C57BL/6 mice and reveal the potential underlying mechanisms. METHODS: A total of 60 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups. They were exposed to fresh-air, traditional cigarette smoke, E-cig vapor with 12 mg/mL of nicotine, and E-cig with no nicotine for 8 weeks. Lung functions were evaluated by using quantitative analysis of the whole body plethysmograph, FlexiVent system, lung tissue histological and morphometric analysis, and RT-PCR analysis of mRNA expression of inflammation-related genes. In addition, the effects of nicotine and acrolein on the survival rate and DNA damage were investigated using cultured human alveolar basal epithelial cells. RESULTS: Exposure to E-cig vapor led to significant changes in lung functions and structures including the rupture of the alveolar cavity and enlarged alveolar space. The pathological changes were also accompanied by increased expression of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study indicate that the safety of E-cig should be further evaluated. IMPLICATIONS: Some people currently believe that using nicotine-free E-cigs is a safe way to smoke. However, our research shows that E-cigs can cause lung damage regardless of whether they contain nicotine.

Therapeutic effect and safety of vincamine in anterior non -arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of vincamine sustained release capsules on non- arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy ( NAION) . · METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with monocular onset NAION in acute stage from January to September 2015 were divided into two groups. Routine treatment such as steroid pulse therapy and neurotrophic treatment were given to all the patients. Vincamine was added to the treatment group patients with 30mg twice a day for 3mo. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA), mean deviation ( MD) of visual field, retinal nerve fiber layer ( RNFL ) , ganglion cell complex ( GCC ) , pattern visual evoked potential ( PVEP ) and OCT results were analyzed before and after the treatment. ·RESULTS:Totally 42 eyes of 42 patients were enrolled in our study. There were 27 patients in the treatment group, aged from 33 to 79 years old, the average value was 55. 55± 11. 83 years old. The control group has 15 patients, aged from 40 to 70 years old, the average value was 55. 71 ± 10. 06 years old. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in the baseline. After 3mo of the treatment, MD value of the two groups were lower compared with the baseline, the difference was statistically significant in the treatment and control group respectively (t= 2. 342, 2. 692; P = 0. 027, 0. 041). The difference of PVEP amplitude and potential of the two groups before and after the treatment were not statistically significant. The thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer and the ganglion cell complex were all lower than the baseline, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 001). The treatment of the two groups were both effective, the treatment group has better treatment effect than the control group. Adverse events related to the treatment of vincamine had not been found. ·CONCLUSION:Vincamine is helpful in the treatment of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.