Longitudinal Electronic Cigarette Exposures Impair Respiratory Function and Structure in the Female Apoe−/− Mouse

EC use is on the rise, making it necessary to understand the long-term health implications of their use. This study provides the first assessment of structural and functional changes in the lung following prolonged exposure to ECs. We find that 16 weeks, but not 8 weeks, of exposure leads to increases in resistances and tissue stiffness, due to an increase in cytoplasm and thickened alveolar septa. At 24 weeks, functional changes appear to reverse while structural abnormalities worsened. This study suggests that ECs pose a significant health risk and regulation of them should be considered.