Figure 3.

EC Liquid or Aerosol Exposure Results in Swollen and Hyperfused Mitochondria

(A and B) Mitochondrial number was quantified and normalized to the control group for 24-h tobacco and menthol e-liquid and aerosol treatments, showing a general decrease in mitochondria number.

(C and D) Total mitochondrial area was quantified and normalized to the control group for 24-h tobacco and menthol e-liquid and aerosol treatments, revealing an increase in some concentrations.

(E and F) Morphological classification of dotted, networked, and swollen mitochondria treated for 24 h with menthol or tobacco e-liquid, showing mitochondrial hyperfusion in the low concentrations and swelling in the higher concentrations.

(G and H) Morphological classification of dotted, networked, and swollen mitochondria after 24 h of treatment with menthol or tobacco aerosol, showing mitochondrial hyperfusion in all concentrations.

(I) A representative image of two mitochondria fusing to form the networked phenotype. Scale bar, 0.25 μm.

Asterisks on top of each bar indicate the statistical significance. (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01). Data are represented as mean ± SEM.