a Model of Combined Exposure to Nicotine and Tetrahydrocannabinol via Electronic Cigarettes in Pregnant Rats.

Introduction:
This text summarizes a scientific study that investigates the effects of combined exposure to nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinol (ThC) via electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in pregnant rats. The study aims to establish a co-exposure model of nicotine and ThC via e-cigarette vapor inhalation that can be used safely in pregnant rats and to examine the pharmacokinetic interactions of nicotine and ThC in blood levels of pregnant subjects.

Key Points:

* The study exposed pregnant rats to nicotine and/or ThC via e-cigarettes daily from gestational days 5-20.
* The study measured maternal blood levels of each drug and their metabolites, core body temperatures before and after exposure, gestational lengths, litter characteristics, and early developmental milestones.
* The study found that pregnant dams exposed to nicotine via e-cigarettes had lower initial daily temperatures across the vapor inhalation exposure period.
* Pregnant dams exposed to the combination of Nicotine + ThC had lower plasma nicotine levels than those exposed to Nicotine alone, and lower plasma ThC levels than those exposed to ThC alone.
* The study did not find any alterations in basic litter outcomes, such as gestational length, litter size, average offspring weight, sex ratio of the litter, or eye opening.
* The study provides evidence for pharmacokinetic interactions of nicotine and ThC in blood levels of pregnant subjects and suggests that the doses of nicotine (36 mg/mL) and ThC (100 mg/mL) used in the model are clinically relevant.

Main Message:
The study suggests that the co-exposure model of nicotine and ThC via e-cigarette vapor inhalation in pregnant rats can be used safely and reliably to investigate the pharmacokinetic interactions of nicotine and ThC in blood levels of pregnant subjects. The study also highlights the importance of considering the potential effects of e-cigarette use during pregnancy, as exposure to nicotine and ThC via e-cigarettes may have different effects than traditional routes of consumption. The results of this study have important implications for public policy and education for pregnant mothers about prenatal e-cigarette use.

Breit KR, Rodriguez CG, hussain S, et al. a Model of Combined Exposure to Nicotine and Tetrahydrocannabinol via Electronic Cigarettes in Pregnant Rats. Frontiers in neuroscience. 2022;16:866722. doi:10.3389/fnins.2022.866722