Glycerol contained in vaping liquids affects the liver and aspects of energy homeostasis in a sex-dependent manner.

Introduction:
This text discusses the study of the effects of glycerol e-cigarette aerosol exposure on the liver and aspects of energy homeostasis in mice. The study found that glycerol e-cigarette aerosol exposure can affect circulating glucose and glycerol levels, as well as liver triglyceride concentration, in a sex-dependent manner.

Key Points:

* The study used an established whole-body exposure system to expose male and female young and adult C57bl/6N mice to glycerol e-cigarette aerosols.
* acute and chronic exposure to glycerol e-cigarette aerosols was investigated.
* Blood glycerol and glucose levels were measured following exposure, and glucose and glycerol tolerance tests were conducted.
* The liver was also examined for changes in histology, lipid content, inflammation, and stress markers.
* Lung functions were assessed, and hepatic mRNa expression of genes controlling the circadian rhythm was measured.
* The study found that acute exposure to glycerol aerosols increased circulating glycerol levels in female mice, and chronic exposure increased hepatic triglyceride and phosphatidylcholine concentrations in younger and older female mice.
* Mild alterations in glucose and glycerol tolerance tests were also observed, with sexual dimorphism.
* Metabolic effects of glycerol vaping were found to precede its effects on lung physiology.

Main Message:
The study suggests that glycerol vaping can impact liver and energy metabolism, particularly in females. however, additional research is required to translate these observations to humans and determine the biological and potential pathological impacts of these findings.

Lechasseur a, Mouchiroud M, Tremblay F, et al. Glycerol contained in vaping liquids affects the liver and aspects of energy homeostasis in a sex-dependent manner. Physiological reports. 2022;10(2):1. doi:10.14814/phy2.15146