Chronic exposure to e-cig aerosols during early development causes vascular dysfunction and offspring growth deficits.

Chronic exposure to e-cig aerosols during early development causes vascular dysfunction and offspring growth deficits. Transl Res. 2019 Jan 07;: Authors: Orzabal MR, Lunde-Young ER, Ramirez JI, Howe SYF, Naik VD, Lee J, Heaps CL, Threadgill DW, Ramadoss J Abstract Increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), including among women of reproductive age, is attributed to its perceived safety compared to conventional tobacco. However, there is a major knowledge gap surrounding the effects of e-cig aerosols on pregnancy and fetal development. We aimed to evaluate the effects of vaping e-cigs during gestation on offspring growth and to asses if growth deficits are accompanied by altered maternal and fetal vascular hemodynamics. Sprague-Dawley dams were assigned to Pair-Fed Control, Pair-Fed Juice, or Juice+Nicotine groups, and then underwent either a prenatal or prenatal+postnatal exposure paradigm in a custom-engineered vaping system. Mass spectrometry identified major aerosolized constituents from e-cig vaping. The Juice+Nicotine group exhibited significantly decreased fetal weight and crown-rump length (↓46.56%, and ↓23.83%, respectively). Pre- and postnatal exposure to Juice+Nicotine resulted in decreased pup weight at postnatal day (PND) 4-10. Crown-rump length was decreased by 24.71% on PND 10. Blood flow in the Juice+Nicotine group was decreased in the maternal uterine and fetal umbilical circuits by 49.50% and 65.33%...
Source: Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine - Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Transl Res Source Type: research