Electronic cigarette liquid exposure induces flavor‐dependent osteotoxicity and increases expression of a key bone marker, collagen type I

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes) are nicotine delivery devices advertised as a healthier alternative to conventional tobacco products, but their rapid rise in popularity outpaces research on potential health consequences. As conventional tobacco use is a risk factor for osteoporosis, this study examines whether exposure to electronic liquid (e‐liquid) used in e‐cigarettes affects bone‐forming osteoblasts. Human MG‐63 and Saos‐2 osteoblast‐like cells were treated for 48 hours with 0.004%‐4.0% dilutions of commercially available e‐liquids of various flavors with or without nicotine. Changes in cell viability and key osteoblast markers, runt‐related transcription factor 2 and Col1a1, were assessed. With all e‐liquids tested, cell viability decreased in a dose‐dependent manner, which was least pronounced in flavorless e‐liquids, most pronounced in cinnamon‐flavored e‐liquids and occurred independently of nicotine. Col1a1, but not runt‐related transcription factor 2, mRNA expression was upregulated in response to coffee‐flavored and fruit‐flavored e‐liquids. Cells treated with a non‐cytotoxic concentration of fruit‐flavored Mango Blast e‐liquid with or without nicotine showed significantly increased collagen type I protein expression compared to culture medium only. We conclude that the degree of osteotoxicity is flavor‐dependent and occurs independently of nicotine and that flavored e‐liquids reveal collagen type I as a potential target in osteoblasts. This study elucidates potential consequences of e‐cigarette use in bone.

E-vapor aerosols do not compromise bone integrity relative to cigarette smoke after 6-month inhalation in an ApoE–/– mouse model

“…In comparison to CS, e-vapor product aerosols deliver nicotine with reduced levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHC) (Goniewicz et al 2013). The British National Health Service recognizes that e-cigs are less harmful nicotine delivery products than cigarettes because of the reduced levels of harmful constituents (tar and carbon monoxide) in e-vapor aerosol (NHS 2019).…”

The Impact of “Vaping” Electronic Cigarettes on Spine Health

“…Childhood is a critical time for optimal bone growth and development because approximately 90% of bone mass is accrued by early adulthood at about 18 years of age [23]. Therefore, Otero and her team took a deeper look into the exposure of e-liquids along with vape flavors and the osteotoxicity rankings of each individual flavor [24]. In this study, Otero mainly focused the attention towards human MG-63 and Saos-2 osteoblast cells that her team incubated for 48 hours with 0.004%-4.0% of commercially available e-liquids with and without nicotine [24].…”

“…Therefore, Otero and her team took a deeper look into the exposure of e-liquids along with vape flavors and the osteotoxicity rankings of each individual flavor [24]. In this study, Otero mainly focused the attention towards human MG-63 and Saos-2 osteoblast cells that her team incubated for 48 hours with 0.004%-4.0% of commercially available e-liquids with and without nicotine [24]. Otero's study had many key assessments as to how vaping can cause changes in cell viability and osteoblast markers [24].…”

“…In this study, Otero mainly focused the attention towards human MG-63 and Saos-2 osteoblast cells that her team incubated for 48 hours with 0.004%-4.0% of commercially available e-liquids with and without nicotine [24]. Otero's study had many key assessments as to how vaping can cause changes in cell viability and osteoblast markers [24]. From Otero's research, they were able to ascertain the drastic effects on Saos-2 cells from the chemicals found in vapes even more so than with the MG-63 cells [24].…”

“…Otero's study had many key assessments as to how vaping can cause changes in cell viability and osteoblast markers [24]. From Otero's research, they were able to ascertain the drastic effects on Saos-2 cells from the chemicals found in vapes even more so than with the MG-63 cells [24]. Another important finding they were able to conclude was that several vape containing e-liquids were highly cytotoxic at just 2% volume or higher [24].…”