E-Cigarette Flavors, Devices Key in Vaping Molecular Change
Summary
A study published in Frontiers in Oncology reveals that regular vaping alters the activity of 3,124 genes. Researchers found that 66.6% of these molecular changes are linked to the specific flavors and devices used, rather than the frequency or intensity of vaping. Specifically, fruit flavors, multiple flavors, and advanced refillable devices known as "mods" were associated with the most significant changes in gene expression.
Bioinformatics analysis linked these gene alterations to various health risks, with cancer showing the highest number of associated changes, followed by endocrine, gastrointestinal, and neurological diseases. Lead author Ahmad Besaratinia, PhD, suggests that these findings should prompt regulators, including the FDA, to evaluate e-cigarette products more granularly, focusing on the chemical makeup of flavors and device configurations to minimize potential long-term health harms.
(Source:Mirage News)