E-cigarettes damage the liver and alter nutrient metabolism in pregnant mice and their offspring.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the health impacts of e-cigarette use during pregnancy. It outlines a study that examines the effects of e-cigarette vapor exposure on liver metabolic markers, oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial health in both mothers and their male offspring. The study compares the effects of nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-cigarette vapor exposure.

Key Points:

* The study used female Balb/c mice and exposed them to room air, nicotine-containing e-cigarette vapor, or nicotine-free e-cigarette vapor twice daily for six weeks prior to mating, throughout gestation, and lactation.
* Male offspring were weaned at postnatal day 20 and maintained without additional intervention.
* an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed on the male offspring at 12 weeks of age.
* Livers and plasma from dams and male offspring were examined for various metabolic markers.
* Exposure to nicotine-containing e-cigarette vapor caused insulin resistance in the dams and impaired glucose tolerance in the offspring, independent of nicotine.
* Exposure to nicotine-free e-cigarette vapor increased liver damage in the dams and offspring, associated with nutrient metabolic changes.
* Maternal exposure to e-cigarette vapor with nicotine did not cause liver damage but increased liver triglyceride accumulation in the offspring.
* Chemicals from the heated humectant may contribute to liver and metabolic disorders, while nicotine may protect the offspring from the adverse hepatic and metabolic impacts of maternal e-vaping during pregnancy.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential health risks of e-cigarette use during pregnancy, particularly in relation to liver metabolism and nutrient metabolism. While nicotine-containing e-cigarette vapor exposure caused insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance, nicotine-free e-cigarette vapor exposure increased liver damage and nutrient metabolic changes. The study suggests that further research is needed to fully understand the health impacts of e-cigarette use during pregnancy and to develop appropriate regulatory measures.

Li G, Chan YL, Wang B, et al. E-cigarettes damage the liver and alter nutrient metabolism in pregnant mice and their offspring. annals of the New York academy of Sciences. 2020;1475(1):64-77. doi:10.1111/nyas.14411