Work

Atherogenic Effects of Acute Electronic Cigarette Compared With Tobacco Cigarette Smoking in People Living With HIV: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Background People living with HIV (PLWH) are disproportionately affected by tobacco‐related health disparities. Concurrent recreational drug use is also more prevalent. Switching to electronic cigarettes (ECs) has been proposed as a harm reduction strategy. However, it remains unproven whether ECs are less atherogenic than tobacco cigarettes (TCs). Methods and Results PLWH who smoke TCs and met eligibility criteria were invited to enroll in our acute crossover trial (NCT04568395) comparing the effects of using an EC, a TC, and a straw control on different days on monocyte transendothelial migration and monocyte‐derived foam cell formation in our novel ex vivo atherogenesis assay. Twenty‐eight PLWH (aged 41.8±9.8 years; 27 men and 1 woman, 18 with a positive urine toxicology screen) completed all 3 sessions. The acute rise in plasma nicotine was similar after acute TC and EC use (7.32±0.86 ng/mL versus 6.30±0.92 ng/mL, P =0.69). The monocyte transendothelial migration after acutely smoking a TC increased by a mean of 0.65‐fold difference compared with the straw control ( P <0.01). The monocyte transendothelial migration after using an EC was not significantly increased compared with the straw control. The monocyte‐derived foam cell formation after acutely smoking a TC was increased by a mean of 0.65‐fold difference compared with the straw control ( P <0.001). The monocyte‐derived foam cell formation after acutely using an EC was not significantly increased compared with the straw control. These findings were present in PLWH with and without concurrent recreational drug use. Conclusion These data suggest smaller proatherogenic effects following EC versus TC use in PLWH and justify a larger study looking at cardiovascular risks of ECs in PLWH who smoke, including those who use recreational drugs, populations disproportionately affected by tobacco‐related health disparities.

Source: Journal of the American Heart Association

DOI: 10.1161/jaha.124.038258

Authors: Theodoros Kelesidis, Leila Fotooh Abadi, Isabelle Ruedisueli, Zoee U. D'Costa, Holly R. Middlekauff

Institution: University of California, Los Angeles

Language: English

Topic: Smoking Behavior and Cessation

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,810