A new study has revealed that the use of e-cigarettes may be linked to widespread changes in the activity of thousands of genes within the body, including genes associated with cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.
Researchers found that people who regularly use e-cigarettes showed changes in the gene expression of more than 3,000 genes compared to non-users. The findings also suggested that the type of flavor and the device used may have a greater impact than the frequency of use itself in some cases.
The study analyzed cheek lining cell samples from 83 participants, including e-cigarette users, regular smokers, and non-users. Researchers used RNA sequencing technology to monitor changes in gene activity.
The results showed changes in 3,124 genes among e-cigarette users compared to non-smokers and non-users. Approximately two-thirds of these changes were linked to the type of flavor and device used, not just the frequency of use.
Fruit flavors and the simultaneous use of multiple flavors had the greatest effects on gene activity, while refillable devices showed the strongest effects. Fruit flavors were associated with changes in 31% of the affected genes, while the use of multiple flavors was associated with changes in 64.3% of them.
Professor Ahmad Besaratinia, the study's lead author from the University of Southern California, said the findings suggest that flavors and device characteristics play an important role in the biological changes associated with e-cigarette use, not just the use itself.
The study also showed that e-cigarette users have more diverse patterns of gene activity compared to traditional smokers, which may indicate complex and unexpected biological effects.
Researchers have linked these changes to biological pathways associated with a number of diseases, with cancer being the most frequently linked condition, followed by endocrine, digestive, and nervous system diseases.
However, the researchers stressed that the study does not prove that e-cigarettes directly cause cancer or other diseases, but it does reveal early biological changes that may be linked to future health risks.
Researchers say that understanding the full effects of e-cigarettes still requires more long-term studies, especially since these products are relatively new compared to traditional cigarettes. It is believed that heating e-liquids produces chemicals that may affect gene expression and impair the body's ability to repair cellular damage.
Although experts agree that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes because they don't produce tar and carbon monoxide at the same levels, they emphasize that they are not risk-free. E-liquids may contain potentially toxic substances, such as formaldehyde, which has been linked to inflammation and other harmful cellular changes.
Researchers are currently working to identify the chemicals responsible for these genetic changes, hoping that this will help regulators set stricter standards to reduce the potential harm associated with e-cigarettes.
