Comparative effects of conventional and electronic cigarette exposure on vascular inflammation and remodeling markers in a rat model of early atherosclerosis

Objective: Smoking remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with 22.5% of Indonesians identified as smokers. Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) usage in Indonesia has reached 10.65%, primarily due to the widespread belief that they are a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. This trend raises concerns due to their nicotine content, which may contribute to atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exposure to conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes on early atherosclerotic changes in Wistar rats ( Rattus norvegicus ), using α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) as blood biomarkers. Material and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided at random into three groups: control, conventional cigarette smoke exposure, and e-cigarette vapor exposure. Following a 7-day acclimatization period, both exposure groups received equal nicotine concentrations for 30 minutes per day, five days per week, over a 12-week period. Serum levels of α-SMA and IL-1β were quantified using ELISA to evaluate atherosclerotic changes. Results: Both conventional cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor exposure significantly increased α-SMA and IL-1β levels compared with controls (p = 0.004 and p = 0.018, respectively). However, post hoc analyses revealed no statistically significant differences between the two exposure groups (α-SMA: p = 1.000, Bonferroni test; IL-1β: p = 0.374, Mann–Whitney test). Conclusions: Exposure to e-cigarettes produced effects comparable to those of conventional cigarettes exposure in increasing serum α-SMA and IL-1β, suggesting a similar potential risk to cardiovascular health.