Recent studies have indicated that the act of vaping can have an immediate impact on the functionality of a person's blood vessels, irrespective of whether the e-cigarette contains nicotine or not. This research, which is yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal and was presented at the annual conference of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago, revealed that vaping, both with and without nicotine, can lead to a decrease in venous oxygen saturation.

This reduction may suggest that the lungs are not receiving an adequate amount of oxygen. While further research is necessary to confirm these findings and to understand the long-term effects, scientists speculate that regular vaping could potentially result in vascular diseases.

Dr. Marianne Nabbout, the lead researcher and a radiology resident at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, who conducted the study at the University of Pennsylvania, stated, "It is a common misconception that electronic cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes, but this belief is misguided." Although e-cigarette vapor does not contain the same carcinogenic contaminants found in tobacco smoke, users still inhale various chemicals when they vape, which this study demonstrates can affect the body.

E-cigarettes function by heating a liquid that then vaporizes and is inhaled by the user. However, the vapor is not solely composed of water; depending on the device, it may also contain substances such as lead, nickel, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, and glycerin. Dr. Nabbout explained, "Even in the absence of nicotine in the e-cigarette, there could be other harmful components present, which is why we observed these significant effects even when participants chose e-cigarettes without nicotine."

In their study, Nabbout and her team examined the physiological changes in cigarette smokers, e-cigarette users, and those who vaped nicotine-free products. They recruited 31 participants, aged between 21 and 49, who were either smokers or vapers, and compared their results with a control group of 10 non-smokers and non-vapers. Each participant underwent MRI scans before and after vaping or smoking, with the non-smokers and non-vapers being scanned at each visit.

The researchers also applied a cuff to the upper thigh of each participant to restrict blood flow. Once the cuff was released, they assessed the rate of blood flow in the femoral artery and quantified the oxygen levels in the blood returning to the heart after it had supplied oxygen to the body's tissues. With each instance of vaping or smoking, the researchers observed a significant reduction in the resting blood flow velocity in the femoral artery, which is responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood to the lower body.

Compared to non-smokers and cigarette smokers, those who used nicotine-containing vapes experienced the most pronounced decline in vascular function. The group that experienced the second most significant change was those who used nicotine-free vapes.

Healthy vascular function is crucial as it allows blood vessels to dilate and constrict, facilitating efficient blood flow, which is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body and for waste removal. Poor vascular function can lead to complications such as blood clots, hypertension, and stroke. The study also indicated that all participants who vaped, regardless of nicotine content, exhibited reduced oxygen saturation, suggesting that their lungs were likely receiving less oxygen.

Dr. Nabbout mentioned that the study's objective is to assist regulators in making decisions regarding which of these products should remain available in the U.S. market. E-cigarettes have been available without regulation for several years, but to continue being sold, companies require authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is currently considering millions of product applications.

Some physicians previously recommended e-cigarettes as a tool to help individuals quit smoking, and manufacturers have used this argument in their appeals to the FDA. However, studies have shown that e-cigarettes are not effective in aiding smoking cessation. The FDA has approved a few vaping products, but none have been specifically endorsed as a harm-reduction device.

Dr. Albert Rizzo, the chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, stated that this new research contributes to the growing body of evidence that demonstrates vaping exposes individuals to more than just harmless water vapor. "We have limited knowledge about the effects of e-cigarette ingredients on our lungs and blood vessels. Although e-cigarettes supposedly contain fewer toxins than traditional cigarettes, we do not yet understand the long-term effects of these products. Studies like these continue to reveal short-term effects," said Rizzo, who was not involved in the study. Rizzo found it intriguing that both nicotine and non-nicotine vapes had an impact.

"This suggests that some components in these products are likely causing airway irritation that leads to inflammation, and that inflammation extends to the rest of the body in a manner similar to what we know about particle pollution," he explained. Research has shown that exposure to air pollution, specifically particle pollution, can result in a higher incidence of heart attacks and other significant health issues. If vaping significantly affects an individual's vascular health, then e-cigarette users may be at an increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, or blood flow problems, according to Rizzo. "At the Lung Association, we are adamantly opposed to young people, who may be attracted by the various flavors available on the market, starting to use these products," Rizzo concluded.