Nicotine-Free Vapes Linked to Oxidative Stress and Lung Tissue Damage, Challenging Assumptions of Harm Reduction

Although vaping is often promoted as a safer substitute for smoking, a recent study by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University suggests potential harm even in nicotine-free vapes. The team observed oxidative stress in human lung tissue cells when exposed to a widely used nicotine-free e-cigarette brand.

ARF6-Dependent Pathway Sparks Lung Tissue Damage

The study, titled "Electronic vape fluid activates the pulmonary endothelium and disrupts vascular integrity in vitro through an ARF6-dependent pathway" published in the journal Microvascular Research, shows the damaging effects of a common brand of nicotine-free e-cigarettes when an in vitro model of the human lung was exposed to them.

Despite the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes, often considered harmless alternatives to smoking, this research sheds light on the potential harm associated with nicotine-free variants. The UK alone has witnessed a significant rise in e-cigarette users, with nearly five million individuals vaping, a drastic increase from 700,000 in 2012.

While prior studies have primarily focused on the harm caused by nicotine-containing vapes, 39 countries have imposed bans on nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, leading to a surge in the use of nicotine-free alternatives, especially among adolescents.

In the study, researchers assessed the impact of vape fluid on cells in a simulated human lung model. Three watermelon-flavored vapes with varying nicotine concentrations (0mg, 10mg, and 20mg) were purchased and examined to mimic commonly used public concentrations.

The study identified an unusual abundance of the protein ARF6 in nicotine-free vapes, implicating it in lung tissue damage. It induces oxidative stress, which is the heightened inflammation and the breakdown of blood vessels akin to damage observed in patients with lung injuries. The condition can lead to malfunctions as well as wear and tear in the cells.

Although ARF6 has not been previously associated with smoking or lung injuries, it plays a role in ensuring the proper functioning of the body's blood vessels.

Biomedical scientist Havovi Chichger from Anglia Ruskin University emphasized that the chemical composition of nicotine-free vape fluid closely resembles nicotine-containing fluid, except for the absence of nicotine, suggesting similar pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory effects on human microvascular endothelial cells.

Beyond Nicotine: Vaping's Impact on ARDS and Blood Vessels

Future research holds promise in exploring how vapes elevate the risk of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a condition prevalent in smokers resulting from lung blood vessel damage. Recent studies, using nicotine-free vapes, indicate that even a single use could adversely affect blood vessels and circulation, suggesting potential harm beyond the lungs.

With the soaring number of e-cigarette users, estimated in the tens of millions, concerns about health consequences are escalating. Despite vaping being perceived as a potentially lesser evil than smoking, which remains debatable due to limited long-term data, the health impact of vaping is a significant worry, particularly among the growing number of young teenage smokers.

Biomedical scientist Havovi Chichger underscores vaping's significant health concern, with ongoing research, particularly focusing on the protein ARF6. Despite bans on nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, the study emphasizes the crucial need for further research to understand potential connections between vaping nicotine-free e-cigarettes and future lung injuries.

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