Lydia Trainor

Rider University

Effects of vaping e-cigarettes on arterial health

#Cardiovascular #Smoking Cessation

How will the SphygmoCor® technology enable, enhance, or accelerate your research?

The research team does not currently have access to SphygmoCor® technology in their lab setting, as such, access to the SphygmoCor® technology would enable the research team to complete the proposed project and further scientific knowledge on a relatively new, emerging field of study involving examining the influences of vaping e-cigarettes containing nicotine on vascular health. Based on the preliminary data, never-smokers and vapers displayed similar values for augmentation index (p > 0.05), which may indicate that the span of time exposed to e-cigarette vapor was possibly too short to elicit significant endothelial dysfunction (average months vaping = 19.9+11.7 months). The preliminary data included a small sample size (N = 19) and unequal groups (due to the COVID-19 pandemic and risks associated with measuring gas analysis during that time). Continuing data collection and increasing the vascular metrics studied will enhance the overall quality of our data. A goal of the proposed project is to expand the analysis vascular metrics studied in longer-term vaping population, concentrating on recruiting individuals who have vaped for greater than 36 months. Main variables examined will include pulse wave velocity, subendocardial viability ratio, brachial blood pressure, central blood pressure, augmentation index, and augmentation pressure using the SphygmoCor® technology. Access would provide the research team with the necessary equipment to continue this line of research enhancing the current knowledge on health outcomes related to vaping.

Executive Summary

The popularity of vaping electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) containing nicotine has grown rapidly over the last decade in the young adult population, yet, the long-term health consequences remain unknown. Existing research has focused on examining the impacts of acute or sub-acute vaping in humans or chronic exposure using animal models. The purpose of our research is to examine the potential physiological changes in vascular health that are caused due to self-elicited chronic exposure to vaping in a young, apparently healthy population. The prosed project will expand on preliminary data, which showed no significant differences in the degree of arterial stiffness between never-smokers and vapers who were physically active. Based on these preliminary data, it is unclear if an increased level of cardiovascular fitness acted as a protective mechanism against arterial stiffening or if the exposure to e-cig aerosol was not long enough to elicit significant changes (average months vaping = 19.9+11.7 months) warranting the need for further research. Building on the preliminary research, we will be examining additional metrics related to vascular health including pulse wave velocity, subendocardial viability ratio, brachial and central blood pressure, augmentation index, and augmentation pressure between never-smokers and vapers. Vapers will include individuals who have exclusively vaped for at least 36 months and do not have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking. We will also analyze if differences in vascular biometrics are independent of aerobic fitness status in this sample population. The proposed research will provide the broader scientific and healthcare community insight into the effects of vaping e-cigarette aerosol. Lastly, participating young adults will gain valuable information on their vascular health through biometric monitoring using the SphygmoCor® technology, enabling them to make informed decisions that may impact their lifetime.

Research Setting

The team consists of Dr. John Guers, Dr. Lydia Trainor, and undergraduate research assistants (URA). Dr. Guers holds a PhD in Applied Physiology from University of Delaware and completed post-doctoral training in Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine at Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School. He has done extensive work in animal and human models in vascular physiology, presenting and publishing in the field. Dr. Trainor (formally Smith) holds a PhD in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Physiology from Springfield College where she completed preliminary research on the impacts of vaping on pulmonary function, aerobic capacity, and augmentation index. The results of the research were presented at the ACSM Annual Conference. Lastly, an integral component of the research team includes undergraduate research assistants who will be trained thoroughly in research methods and aid in our data. At Rider University there is a strong culture of supporting, teaching, and fostering undergraduate students through the research process. The study will be completed in the Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) located in the Canastra Health and Sports Center at Rider University. The HPL is a space dedicated to conducting physiology based human research projects. The HPL contains a computer workstation with access to SPSS and GraphPad statistical software, a variety of physiology-based research equipment, and is climate and temperature controlled. All additional equipment that is necessary to carry out the research study is accessible in the HPL with the exception to the SphygmoCor® technology.