Electronic cigarettes (e-cig) are a popular electronic nicotine delivery device that simulates smoking independent of the combustion of tobacco. The unidentified health risks associated with e-cig use combined with minimal and newly implemented federal regulations on product standardization point to the need for e-cig research. Since tobacco use is a well-known risk factor for bone-related diseases, we are interested in the effect of e-cigs on bone-forming osteoblasts. We hypothesize that exposure to e-liquid can impair osteoblast function. Human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of commercially available e-liquids with or without nicotine either unvaped or vaped, for 48 hours. Cell viability, measured by using an MTT assay, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was assessed. Unvaped e-liquids significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, which was exacerbated by flavorings agents. Vaped Mango Blast e-liquid was only cytotoxic at the highest concentration and appeared dependent on cell density. Treatment with unvaped e-liquids had no significant effect on ALP activity, which is a known osteoblast marker. Nicotine showed no change in effect on ALP activity. This research provides insight into the effect of e-cigs on bone health. This project was funded by NIH-INBRE research grant #P20GM103408.

THE EFFECT OF UNVAPED AND VAPED ELECTRONIC LIQUIDS ON THE HUMAN OSTEOBLAST-LIKE CELL LINE SAOS-2