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Generation of Electronic Cigarette Aerosol by a Third-Generation Machine-Vaping Device: Application to Toxicological Studies
Published on: August 25, 2018
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Nicotine Influence on Vascular and Neurocognitive Function with In-utero Electronic Cigarette Exposure.
Amber Mills1,2, Deborah Corbin3, Duaa Dakhallah4
1Dept. of Physiology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|March 3, 2025
Summary
Maternal electronic cigarette (Ecig) use during pregnancy impairs offspring cerebrovascular function, with nicotine worsening neurocognitive deficits and causing neuronal damage. Harm to blood vessels occurs even at low Ecig wattages.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- In utero exposure to electronic cigarettes (Ecigs) may impact offspring cerebrovascular and neurocognitive health.
- Ecigs allow investigation of nicotine and aerosol toxicity independently.
- Variable Ecig power settings may alter aerosol toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of maternal Ecig exposure at different wattages on offspring cerebrovascular and neurocognitive function.
- To determine if observed effects are independent of nicotine.
Main Methods:
- Time-mated Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to Ecigs from gestation day 2-21.
- Offspring (male and female) were assessed for vascular and neurocognitive function at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
- Middle cerebral artery (MCA) reactivity was measured.
Main Results:
- In utero Ecig exposure (5w and 30w) impaired MCA reactivity in both sexes, with greater impairment at higher wattages.
- Vascular dysfunction occurred with or without nicotine.
- Nicotine exposure led to short-term memory deficits, neuronal damage, and neuroinflammation markers in older offspring.
Conclusions:
- Maternal vaping adversely affects offspring brain health, including cerebrovascular function and neurocognition.
- Vascular harm from Ecigs can occur at low exposure levels.
- Nicotine exacerbates neurocognitive and neuronal damage in offspring exposed in utero.
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