Research identifies protein responsible for increasing inflammation and oxidative stress
A new study has identified a protein that nicotine-free vape fluid increases in the lung, causing damage including oxidative stress, inflammation and breakdown of the blood vessels.
The research, published in the journal Microvascular Research demonstrates a range of damaging pathways when an in vitro model of the human lung was exposed to a common brand of nicotine-free e-cigarette.
E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular in recent years and are often seen as harmless alternatives to cigarette smoking. It is estimated that there are almost five million ‘vapers’ in the UK, compared to around 700,000 in 2012.
I really wish these articles would be more clear about what kind of vaping they are talking about. Vaping weed, for example, likely has a different chemical composition but might pose similar or very different risks that the article never acknowledges.
Weed vapes are typically just extracts from the cannabis plant, so their chemical composition should be completely different from the liquids used in nicotine vapes.
As another commentor mentioned, it would be great for these studies to include the relative harm to for example smoking cigarettes or as you mentioned vaping cannabis. Yes it is common sense anything but air in the lungs is bad, but how harmful?
I’ve seen previous studies about the flavoring used, as well. Something about how it’s a food flavoring only approved for eating, not for inhaling.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of nicotine itself being a major contributor.