Vaping related heavy metal exposure and its impact on Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

As vaping become more commonly practiced, it considered safer and better than traditional cigarette, their safety is still debated, highlighting the need for more rigorous research and clear regulatory oversight. This study Estimate heavy metal concentrations in blood serum. And evaluate the inflammatory effect, immune response alteration of inhaling vape smoke in regular smoker and arthritis patients, whether vaping worsens the progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

level of heavy metal were analyzed in both vape liquid sample and serum of all participants using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, statistical comparison were conducted between vape-smoker healthy individuals, rheumatoid patients (RP) , vape-smoker RP , and control group. Heavy metal are chemical elements it is toxic even in low concentration, nickel(Ni) , cadmium(Cd) and lead(Pb) are the most concerning heavy metal in vape liquid . the concentration of three elements in vape smoker group are (27.3±3.78, 2.33±0.58, and 1.0±0.0)ppb respectively. biomarker used in this study include Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

The result of suggest that inhaled heavy metal in many age groups may contribute to inflammatory response, RA biomarker. The findings of ESR revealed that statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) between healthy E- smoker individuals with RP and E-smoker RP in addition to significant difference in CRP was observed in middle age groups (36-50) between control and RP group, RP vape smoker group (p < 0.0001). In RP group and RPs vaping group there was a significant difference between young (20-35) and middle-aged (36-50) patients at p-value <0.0001. It indicates the possible connection between vaping related heavy metal exposure and joint problems. Additional studies are required to clarify the causing mechanism and potential long-term exposure.