Prenatal electronic cigarette exposure decreases brain glucose utilization and worsens outcome in offspring hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Introduction:
This article discusses the effects of prenatal exposure to electronic cigarettes (e-Cigarettes) on offspring hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in mice. The study investigates the impact of e-Cigarette exposure on brain glucose utilization, neuronal viability, and cognitive and motor functions in adolescent offspring.

Key Points:

* Pregnant mice were exposed to e-Cigarette vapor containing nicotine, and their offspring were subjected to hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
* Prenatal e-Cigarette exposure decreased neuronal viability in ischemic conditions, increased brain injury and edema, and worsened neurological outcomes after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
* e-Cigarette exposure caused hyperactivity in sham offspring and decreased recognition memory in both sham and hypoxic-ischemic injury offspring.
* Spatial acquisition and reference memory were impaired in e-Cigarette exposed offspring with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
* Prenatal e-Cigarette exposure decreased neuronal glucose uptake and GLUT3 expression, and impaired mitochondrial membrane potential in ischemic conditions.
* Brain parenchymal GLUT1 expression was decreased in the contralateral brain hemisphere of e-Cigarette exposed offspring after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
* hippocampal GLUT1 expression was decreased, and cortical GLUT3 expression was downregulated in the ipsilateral hemisphere of e-Cigarette exposed offspring after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Main Message:
The study suggests that prenatal exposure to e-Cigarettes can increase sensitivity to offspring hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and impair motor and cognitive functions. The study also highlights the importance of glucose utilization and glucose transporter expression in the brain, which could be potential factors responsible for e-Cigarette induced worsening of short- and long-term outcomes of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. The findings of this study provide valuable information for regulatory authorities regarding the potential health risks associated with e-Cigarette use during pregnancy.

Sifat aE, Nozohouri S, Villalba h, et al. Prenatal electronic cigarette exposure decreases brain glucose utilization and worsens outcome in offspring hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Journal of neurochemistry. 2020;153(1):63-79. doi:10.1111/jnc.14947