A recent study has found that vaping can lead to changes in thousands of genes, with certain flavors causing more harm than others. The research revealed that individuals who vape regularly exhibit modified activity in 3,124 genes throughout their genome compared to non-smokers or non-vapers.

While some gene alterations are associated with vaping frequency and quantity (28.8%), approximately two-thirds (66.6%) are linked to the specific flavors and devices used. The study, published in Frontiers in Oncology, emphasizes the impact of flavor and device type on the biological consequences of vaping, potentially influencing future regulations.

Due to the relative novelty of vapes or e-cigarettes, the long-term health implications remain uncertain. However, changes in the expression of genes related to diseases offer early indications of potential vaping dangers, as chronic illnesses typically take years to manifest.

Prior research has already established a connection between vaping and alterations in gene expression relevant to cancer, heart diseases, and lung conditions, similar to smoking. Professor Ahmad Besaratinia, the lead author of the study from the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, highlighted the need to determine the primary driving forces behind these genetic changes.

The study involved 83 participants, including vapers, smokers, and non-users, to compare gene expression variations. The results showed that the majority of changes in gene activity could be attributed to the flavor and type of vaping device, indicating that the composition of vaping products and device design significantly impact biological responses.

Among vapers, those who used fruit or multiple flavors and advanced refillable devices, known as “mods,” displayed more noticeable alterations in gene expression compared to other groups. Prof Besaratinia emphasized the importance of considering the unique properties of each flavor when assessing the health risks and benefits of flavored e-cigarette products.

The study meticulously examined oral cell samples from participants and utilized RNA sequencing to analyze gene activity changes. Vapers exhibited modifications in 3,124 genes compared to non-smokers or non-vapers, with vapers also displaying more diverse patterns of gene activity than smokers.

Diverse vape flavors resulted in specific gene regulation changes, with fruit and multiple flavors causing the most significant alterations. Additionally, higher-generation devices such as mods were associated with the most profound and consistent gene regulation changes, outweighing the effects of vaping frequency or intensity.

The researchers conducted elaborate bioinformatics analyses to identify the molecular pathways, biological processes, and diseases associated with the observed gene expression changes. Cancer showed the highest number of gene expression changes among vapers, followed by endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal issues, and neurological conditions.

The study findings are particularly relevant as the FDA finalizes guidelines on flavored e-cigarette products. Prof Besaratinia emphasized the necessity for regulators to evaluate products meticulously, focusing on flavors and device characteristics, as newer devices may deliver higher nicotine levels and contain potentially harmful additives.

The research team is currently conducting a follow-up study to pinpoint the chemicals in vaping liquids responsible for gene expression alterations. Identifying these chemicals could lead to regulatory measures aimed at reducing potential harm associated with e-cigarette products.