Effects Of Vaping Nicotine And Thc On Respiratory Oxidative Stress And Pulmonary Function

E-cigarettes cause thermal degradation of liquid bases producing an inhaled vapor (“vaping”). Evidence suggests compounds produced during vaping, as well as the vaporized substance itself, cause lung damage and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be quantified through analysis of F2-8-isoprostanes, reactive species that initiate lipid peroxidation of arachidonic acid. PURPOSE: To compare non-vaping controls (C) to vapers (V) to determine if respiratory oxidative stress and/or reduced lung function is associated with young healthy people who vape. METHODS: Individuals aged 18-30 were recruited. Participants who vape were asked to identify if they vape only nicotine, only THC, or both as well as how long they have been vaping the substance(s). Participants were asked to breathe normally into a respiratory condensate collection tube (Respiratory Research, Inc) for 10 minutes. The tube was covered with a cold sleeve to produce condensate from the expired air. The expired respiratory condensate (ERC) from the tube was stored in a -80C freezer until all samples were collected. ERC samples were analyzed using an ELISA F2-8-isoprostane assay kit from Oxford Biomedical (EA85). Pulmonary function testing was performed by each participant using a forced vital capacity (FVC) maneuver (Easyone Air, New Diagnostic Design). Parameters examined were FVC, forced expiratory volume 1 second (FEV1), and the ratio of FEV1/FVC. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 17 participants per group, C and V. There were no differences for respiratory oxidative stress 29.8 pg/ml ± 5.9 (C), 26.3 pg/ml ± 6.3 (V). No differences were found between groups for lung function when analyzed as percent of predicted values (PP) compared to established norms. PP-FVC 100% ± 15.5 (C), 93.3% ± 13.5 (V); PP-FEV1 93.5% ± 13.9 (C), 87.2 ± 9.35% (V); PP-FEV1/FVC 93.8% ± 8.3 (C), 94% ± 8.2 (V). CONCLUSIONS: Participants in this study were young, healthy participants. Those in the V group indicated vaping for a range of time (6 months to 4 years). Results may indicate the variance in range of time is too great for a sample of 17 participants. Results could also indicate lung damage may develop over time as is the case with cigarette smoking. It is possible that inflammation is acute after vaping. Future studies will take into consideration sampling at various time points post-vape. Supported by: Office of Undergraduate Research Lamar University