Research: toxicity of fluid and aerosol from electronic cigarettes using human embryonic stem cells

[Lastone]

Anybody see this?

Stem Cell Center

Rachel Behar, a Ph.D student with Dr. Prue Talbot and a member of the Cell Molecular and Developmental Biology graduate program, received a two year Cornelius Hopper Award to support her work on electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are a new type of nicotine delivery device that work be heating fluid containing nicotine, a humectant, and flavorings. The aerosol created by heating this fluid can be inhaled by the user without having to burn tobacco. Rachel will evaluate the toxicity of fluid and aerosol from electronic cigarettes using human embryonic stem cells, which model one of the earliest stages of prenatal development. Electronic cigarettes are often thought to be less harmful than conventional cigarettes as they contain many fewer chemicals. However few studies have yet directly evaluated the cytotoxicity of electronic cigarettes.

Dr. Prue Talbot, a Professor of Cell Biology and Neuroscience and Director of the UCR Stem Cell Center and Core, received a new grant to evaluate the cytotoxicity of electronic cigarette fluid and aerosol. Her lab will determine if electronic cigarette products affect survival of human embryonic stem cells and will further identify the specific chemicals which are cytotoxic. Dr. Talbot also received funding for a project dealing with thirdhand smoke, which is the smoke residue that adheres to surfaces after conventional tobacco products have been used. A new consortium has begun working on thirdhand smoke in California this year. Dr. Talbot's lab will be part of the consortium and will begin work on this project in 2012.

 

[rwoodin]

Her lab will determine if electronic cigarette products affect survival of human embryonic stem cells and will further identify the specific chemicals which are cytotoxic.

Sounds kinda like they are looking to verify a predetermined outcome. Like 'oh yeah, were gonna find something allright...'
Sorry but I have become very cynical about any research such as this being unbiased by anti-smoking interests. I would gladly eat that statement should I see the studies that move beyond the vested interests driving them.

 

[36tinybells]

Seems like the stems cells could be better used. If they replaced the e-cig ingredients with laundry soap residue, car exhaust or any other substance we are regularly exposed to I would imagine that they would also impede development. This is not testing that will help, imo, only add a new layer of misinformation.
I hate wasted research money, so much research is needed in so many areas.

 

[Ande]

So she's assuming cytotoxicity then?

How else can they be so sure they're going to determine which components are the cause??

It may be, of course, that she really means "if any," but if so, somebody did a piss poor job of writing this up.

If it's NOT a writing error, then of course we know what to expect from this study.

Best,
Ande

 

[burns_erin]

Honestly, better the test on embryonic stem cells. There is already research on the effects of many other substances on such cells. The third hand smoke is the one that bugs me. I live, as I say, in the armpit of texas, and we have plenty worse to worry about than third had smoke. Lets take some of that money and try to force the plants to clean up their acts. Vaporized industrial solvents and fossil fuel byproducts are much more prevalent and already proven hazards.

 

[CES]

It will be interesting, be cause there is some research that shows that nicotine can have neuroprotective effects.