Suryawan, I Gde Rurus and Ardiana, Meity and Putra, Tony Santoso and Puspitasari, A’rofah Nurlina and Adi, Priangga and Widiarti, Wynne and Saputra, Pandit Bagus Tri (2025) The impact of conventional and electronic cigarette exposure on atherosclerosis development in Rattus norvegicus. Egyptian Heart Journal, 77 (1).

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Abstract

Background: Smoking, including conventional and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Indonesia, with 69.1 million smokers, experiences a high burden of smoking-related diseases. This study aims to evaluate the impact of conventional and e-cigarette exposure on atherosclerosis in Rattus norvegicus (Wistar rats). Methods: Twenty-one male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: control, conventional cigarette exposure, and e-cigarette exposure. Both smoking groups received equivalent nicotine doses for 30 min daily, five days a week, for 12 weeks. Aortic and iliac artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured, and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were analyzed using ELISA. Histopathological changes were also examined. Results: Cigarette exposure significantly increased IMT in the aorta (control: 67.22 ± 3.07 µm; conventional: 100.89 ± 25.60 µm; e-cigarette: 83.75 ± 7.45 µm; p < 0.05) and iliac arteries (control: 68.50 ± 5.6 µm; conventional: 90.49 ± 25.02 µm; e-cigarette: 90.68 ± 12.26 µm; p = 0.031). MCP-1 levels were significantly elevated in the conventional group (205.77 ± 22.18 pg/mL; p = 0.003), while TNF-α levels increased in both groups but without statistical significance. Histopathology revealed fatty streaks and elastic fiber disruption in both exposure groups, with no significant differences observed (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Both conventional and e-cigarettes promote atherosclerosis, as evidenced by increased arterial thickness and inflammatory markers. The cardiovascular risks associated with e-cigarettes are comparable to those of conventional cigarettes, highlighting the need for stricter regulation and public awareness. © The Author(s) 2025.

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