Vaping Zebrafish: E-Cigs Disrupt Gut and Behavior
A Kyushu University study using zebrafish reveals that e-cigarette exposure disrupts gut microbiota and impairs behavior, even without nicotine.Summary
A recent study by Kyushu University researchers, published in *Science of The Total Environment*, investigated the health risks of vaping using zebrafish as a model organism. The study found that exposure to e-cigarette vapor, both with and without nicotine, altered the composition of the gut microbiome, reducing microbial network stability and leading to shifts in bacterial communities. Specifically, beneficial bacteria like Fusobacteriaceae declined, while bacteria capable of degrading harmful compounds increased. Chemical analysis identified carcinogens like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in the vapor. Furthermore, the researchers observed behavioral changes and impaired escape responses in the zebrafish, suggesting a link between gut microbiome disruption and neurological function. The study highlights the potential for undisclosed chemicals in e-cigarette flavors to pose risks and emphasizes the need for further research and transparent regulation, particularly given the increasing prevalence of vaping among young people.
(Source：Mirage News)
