Pregnant women advised to avoid mentholated e-cigarettes
Vaping during pregnancy has become increasingly common, but the potential risks to a developing baby are not fully understood. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside has shed light on the dangers of using menthol flavor chemical in electronic cigarettes during pregnancy.
Published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine, the study utilized human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to investigate the impact of low concentrations of menthol on early embryonic development. The researchers discovered 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 hESCs.
The activation of these channels led to inhibited cell growth, increased cell death, and abnormal cell movement in the hESCs. These changes could potentially disrupt a critical stage of development called gastrulation, which increases the risk of birth defects. Gastrulation involves the movement of epiblast cells to form the three primary germ layers—ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm—essential for the development of organs and tissues in the embryo.
One specific channel, TRPA1, was found to be activated by nanomolar concentrations of menthol, which is consistent with the levels present in pregnant women who vape. This activation of TRPA1 during gastrulation can lead to misallocation of cells destined for specific tissues and organs, resulting in structural birth defects.
The senior author of the study, Prue Talbot, emphasized the need for further research on the effects of vaping during pregnancy on embryonic and fetal development. She cautioned against the use of e-cigarettes by pregnant women until the potential dangers of flavor chemicals like menthol are fully understood.
The study, titled “Menthol, a Consumer Product Additive, Adversely Effects Human Embryonic Cells via Activation of TRPM8 and TRPA1 Channels,” underscores the importance of investigating the impact of vaping on pregnancy outcomes. Pregnant women are advised to refrain from using mentholated electronic cigarettes until more information is available on the risks to the developing fetus.
For more information, the research paper can be accessed in Stem Cells Translational Medicine (2024) with DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szae099. This study was conducted at the University of California – Riverside, highlighting the institution’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting maternal and child health.
