Subchronic inhalation of a novel electronic nicotine delivery system formulation and its corresponding base formulation.

BACKGROUND: Fresh Menthol 3% Nicotine (FM3) is a novel JUUL e-liquid formulation. Its potential toxicity and that of the corresponding base formulation relative to a filtered air (FA) control was studied in a subchronic inhalation study conducted in general accordance with OECD 413. METHODS: Aerosols generated with an intense puffing regime were administered to rats in a nose-only fashion at 1400 µg aerosol collected mass/L on a 6 hour/day basis for 90 days with a 42-day recovery. Exposure atmospheres met target criteria. Systemic exposure was confirmed by plasma measurement of nicotine. RESULTS: No test article-related mortality, clinical signs (other than reversible lower body weight gains in males), clinical pathology or gross findings were noted during this study. No microscopic lesions related to base formulation exposure were identified. Minimal microscopic lesions were observed in the FM3 6-hour exposure group. Microscopic lesions observed in the FM3 6-hour exposure group comprised only minimal laryngeal squamous metaplasia in one male and one female animal. No microscopic lesions related to FM3 exposure remained after the recovery period. CONCLUSION: Exposure atmosphere characterization indicated that conditions were achieved to permit thorough assessment of test articles and results indicate a low order of toxicity for the FM3 Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) formulation and its base formulation.

Comparison of the toxicological potential of two JUUL ENDS products to reference cigarette 3R4F and filtered air in a 90-day nose-only inhalation toxicity study.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are generally recognized as less harmful alternatives for those who would otherwise continue to smoke cigarettes. The potential toxicity of aerosols generated from JUUL Device and Virginia Tobacco (VT3) or Menthol (ME3) JUULpods at 3.0% nicotine concentration was assessed in rats exposed at target aerosol concentrations of 1400 µg/L for up to 6 h/day on a 5 day/week basis for at least 90 days (general accordance with OECD 413). 3R4F reference cigarette smoke (250 µg/L) and Filtered Air were used as comparators. JUUL ENDS product aerosol exposures at >5x the 3R4F cigarette smoke level resulted in greater plasma nicotine and cotinine levels (up to 2x). Notable cigarette smoke related effects included pronounced body weight reductions in male rats, pulmonary inflammation evidenced by elevated lactate dehydrogenase, pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increased heart and lung weights, and minimal to marked respiratory tract histopathology. In contrast, ENDS aerosol exposed animals had minimal body weight changes, no measurable inflammatory changes and minimal to mild laryngeal squamous metaplasia. Despite the higher exposure levels, VT3 and ME3 did not result in significant toxicity or appreciable respiratory histopathology relative to 3R4F cigarette smoke following 90 days administration.