Researchers from Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Lawson Health Research Institute recently published a preclinical study that suggests vaping may have a deleterious impact on the pulmonary surfactant in the lungs.
A vital layer in the lungs called surfactant, which is composed of lipids and proteins, lowers surface tension to enable humans to breathe easily. Without surfactant, breathing would be more difficult and require assistance from a machine.
By adding a layer of surfactant to a syringe and injecting aerosol into the syringe using a vaping device, the research team was able to examine the effects. As a result, the vapour and surfactant might interact immediately. In order to simulate a typical vaping session, the researchers then repeatedly inhaled and exhaled vapour into the syringe.
Emma Graham, a master’s student at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, adds, “In particular, we were looking at the surface tension in the surfactant.” “We observed increased surface tension after vaping, suggesting the surfactant would not be as helpful in promoting healthy lung function.”
To investigate if there were any differences in effects, the researchers also looked at various vaping devices, flavours, additives, and nicotine.
When compared to other e-liquids, nicotine had no adverse impact on the surface tension of the surfactant, but some flavourings, such menthol e-liquid, did, according to Graham.
While his team plans to continue investigating this, Veldhuizen says these results may show why vapers, even those with respiratory viruses like COVID-19, are more likely to experience lung damage.
According to Veldhuizen, “We would like to get this information out there so that people know vaping may be harmful to the lungs.” “As a further step, we intend to further research how vaping affects the lungs and how we can treat the harm that results.”
The research was presented in the PLOS ONE Journal. These findings add to a body of work that Lawson and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry have done on the effects of vaping. In 2019, our researchers were the first in the world to publish a study on a potential brand-new harm associated with e-cigarette use.
Ref: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221214/Vaping-may-negatively-affect-pulmonary-surfactant-in-the-lungs-study-shows.aspx
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