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Melatonin Vapes Contain Potential Contaminants and Alter the Human Bronchial Epithelial Transcriptome
Kevin D Schichlein1,2, Hye-Young H Kim3, Charlotte A Love1,2
1Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
Melatonin vaping products, used by adolescents for sleep, negatively impact human bronchial cells and contain contaminants. More research is essential to understand the health risks of melatonin vapes.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Melatonin vaping products are increasingly popular among adolescents as sleep aids.
- These products are marketed for faster absorption compared to oral melatonin supplements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of melatonin vape aerosols on human bronchial epithelial cells (hBECs).
- To determine melatonin uptake by hBECs in vitro.
- To analyze the chemical composition of commercial melatonin vapes.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of hBECs to high levels of melatonin from vaped aerosols.
- In vitro investigation of melatonin uptake by hBECs.
- Chemical analysis of three commercial melatonin vape products.
Main Results:
- Melatonin vape exposure led to decreased chemokine secretion in hBECs.
- An immunosuppressive gene expression signature was observed following exposure.
- Commercial melatonin vapes contained contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin vape exposure adversely affects human bronchial epithelial cells.
- The presence of contaminants in melatonin vapes raises safety concerns.
- Further research is required to assess the local and systemic toxicity of melatonin vapes.
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