Effects of E-Cigarettes on Teenagers' Cardiovascular System: Study

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over two million American adolescents used electronic cigarette products last year.

Twenty-five percent of teenagers reported that they use electronic cigarettes daily.

A recent study has been conducted to investigate the effects of vaping on the cardiovascular systems of adolescents, particularly boys.

For years, experts have been warning about the dangers of smoking. Scientists have less understanding of the risks associated with vaping electronic cigarettes compared to traditional cigarettes.

Currently, researchers from Ohio State University's Medical School are testing the effects of smoking on the body by using adolescent mice as the experimental subjects.

Dr. Loren Wold, a professor of medicine and nursing at the Ohio State University College of Nursing, stated, "We chose to study three-week-old mice, which is equivalent to adolescents aged 12 to 15 years old.

Researchers exposed mice to an e-cigarette mixture that included nicotine. The mixture released a puff every minute within the confines of a laboratory.

We do this for several hours every day, five days a week, exposing the entire animal to smoke," explained Wald.

The experiment lasted two to three months, which is equivalent to around 15 years for humans.

When we exposed adolescent male mice to it, we found clear cardiovascular effects," said Wald.

However, according to researchers, the heart function of female mice was not affected at all.

A theory has been proposed which suggests that female mice have significantly higher levels of an enzyme called CYP 2A5 in their bodies.

According to the theory, "the level of this enzyme is much higher and can break down nicotine more quickly," said Wald.

A similar enzyme is also present in the bodies of women.

Next, scientists aim to determine if this provides protection for women from the impact of e-cigarettes on heart issues.

Researchers say that even if women's hearts receive some extra protection, it does not mean that electronic cigarettes are safe for women.

Scientists are still studying its effects on the developing brain and other bodily systems.

Source: 5NBCDFW