Common E-Cigarette Flavoring Chemicals Impair Neutrophil Phagocytosis and Oxidative Burst

Chem Res Toxicol. 2019 Jun 17;32(6):982-985. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00171. Epub 2019 May 29.

Abstract

E-cigarette flavorings have not been thoroughly evaluated for inhalational toxicity. We have shown that the flavoring chemical cinnamaldehyde impairs human neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells. Here we investigated the effects of other common e-liquid flavoring chemicals on phagocytosis and oxidative burst in neutrophils. We demonstrate that cinnamaldehyde and ethyl vanillin dose-dependently decrease oxidative burst and that benzaldehyde and benzaldehyde propylene glycol acetal dose-dependently impair phagocytosis. Isoamyl acetate did not affect either measure of neutrophil function. These data suggest that inhaling aromatic aldehydic flavoring chemicals, such as cinnamaldehyde, benzaldehyde, benzaldehyde propylene glycol acetal, or ethyl vanillin, could impair neutrophil function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Acrolein / analogs & derivatives*
  • Acrolein / chemistry
  • Acrolein / pharmacology
  • Benzaldehydes / chemistry
  • Benzaldehydes / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems*
  • Flavoring Agents / chemistry
  • Flavoring Agents / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neutrophils / drug effects*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects*
  • Respiratory Burst / drug effects*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Benzaldehydes
  • Flavoring Agents
  • Acrolein
  • cinnamaldehyde
  • ethyl vanillin