Vaping during pregnancy is a growing trend, but the potential risks associated with it are still not fully understood. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, sheds light on one particular danger of vaping while pregnant – the use of menthol flavoring in electronic cigarettes.
Published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine, the study utilized human embryonic stem cells to investigate how low concentrations of menthol impact early stages of embryonic development. The findings revealed that the levels of menthol found in the blood of pregnant women who vape are sufficient to activate stress-related channels known as transient receptor potential channels in the stem cells.
According to Shabnam Etemadi, the lead author of the study and a bioengineering graduate student working under Professor Prue Talbot, the activation of these channels resulted in inhibited cell growth, increased cell death, and abnormal cell movement in the embryonic stem cells. These changes could potentially disrupt a critical stage of development called gastrulation, which is when the three primary germ layers – ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm – are formed during early embryonic development.
Etemadi further explained that gastrulation involves the movement of epiblast cells to form the definitive endoderm and mesoderm, which serve as the building blocks for all future organs and tissues in the embryo. Any disruption during this stage can lead to structural birth defects due to the misallocation of cells destined for specific tissues and organs.
The study also highlighted the activation of TRPA1 channel by nanomolar concentrations of menthol, which is predicted to reach the embryo through the exposure model. This finding underscores the need for more research on the potential harm of vaping during pregnancy on embryonic and fetal development, particularly when using mentholated electronic cigarettes.
Professor Talbot emphasized the importance of discouraging the use of e-cigarettes by pregnant women until the effects of flavor chemicals like menthol on embryonic development are fully understood. The study’s findings suggest that menthol in e-cigarettes could pose significant risks to the developing baby, making it crucial to raise awareness about the potential dangers associated with vaping during pregnancy.
In conclusion, the study calls for continued research on the impact of vaping on pregnancy outcomes and stresses the importance of avoiding mentholated e-cigarettes during pregnancy to safeguard the health and development of the unborn child. Pregnant women are advised to exercise caution and prioritize their baby’s well-being by steering clear of vaping products that contain harmful additives like menthol.
