{"id":163017,"date":"2022-08-07T08:05:26","date_gmt":"2022-08-07T18:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=163017"},"modified":"2022-09-01T10:40:37","modified_gmt":"2022-09-01T20:40:37","slug":"menthol-ecig-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2022\/08\/07\/menthol-ecig-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Menthol in e-cigs could hurt lungs, UH<\/abbr> research finds"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"various<\/p>\n

September 1, 2022 update<\/strong>: This paper has been selected for “American Physiological Society (APS<\/abbr>) Select,” a collection from APS<\/abbr> that showcases some of the best recently published articles in physiological research. This paper will be free to access for two months.<\/p>\n

Original story:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Menthol in e-cigarettes may be harmful to respiratory health, according to new research by a team of University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa experts. The findings come as e-cigarette use is on the rise among Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n

Yi Zuo<\/strong>, UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa professor of mechanical engineering<\/a> and adjunct professor of pediatrics<\/a>, has invented a groundbreaking method that allows the study of the health impact of e-cigarette aerosols. This breakthrough research was published in June 2022 in the American Journal of Physiology—Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology<\/em>, “Menthol in Electronic Cigarettes Causes Biophysical Inhibition of Pulmonary Surfactant<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

Zuo\u2019s research found that flavorings used in e-cigarettes, especially menthol, impaired a lipid-protein film at the air-water surface of the lung. This film is called the lung surfactant. It plays a central role in maintaining the normal respiratory mechanics of the lung. Therefore, Zuo\u2019s research indicated that menthol in e-cigarette aerosols may cause an adverse impact on the respiratory health of the user.<\/p>\n

“E-cigarettes were initially advertised as a healthier and safer alternative to conventional tobacco smoking when they first appeared in the mid-2000s,” Zuo said. “However, increasing research evidence, especially long-term (more than 10 years) toxicological data that emerged only in recent years, has suggested that e-cigarettes are not as safe as originally promised.”<\/p>\n

E-cigarette use is on the rise among Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s youth, according to a Youth Behavior Risk Survey<\/a> by the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa College of Education<\/a>. Survey respondents who reported they used an e-cigarette or vaping product at least one day during the previous 30 days before taking the survey increased from 25.1% to 30.6% from 2015 to 2019. Respondents who used vapor products for more than 20 days in the past 30 days before taking the survey increased from 3.6% in 2015 to 10.4% in 2019.<\/p>\n

Flavor is a main attraction to e-cigarette users, especially youth. As of 2018, there were more than 15,000 different e-cigarette flavor blends available on the market. Although most flavorings used in e-cigarettes are food-grade additives and scents, their safety and health impact on the respiratory system, at levels inhaled by e-cigarette users, have been largely unknown, until now.<\/p>\n

Menthol is a substance found in peppermint, spearmint and other mint plants. It gives a cooling and soothing sensation, and is used to relieve minor pain and irritation. Menthol is added to products as a flavoring including cough drops, beverages, gum and candy. However, none of these products are smoked or inhaled when used. E-cigarette companies, contrastingly, add menthol to their products to make them more appealing and seemingly less harmful when used.<\/p>\n

Zuo hopes this research finding may contribute to a better understanding of the health impact of e-cigarettes, especially on youth, and a better regulation of e-cigarette products. This research was a collaborative effort between Zuo\u2019s lab and Professors Ellinor Haglund<\/strong> and Rui Sun<\/strong> in the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Department of Chemistry<\/a>. This research was supported by a National Science Foundation award and the George F<\/abbr>. Straub Trust and Robert C<\/abbr>. Perry Fund of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Community Foundation.<\/p>\n

Other stories from UH<\/abbr> News<\/em> involving e-cigarettes:<\/p>\n