65 5.11: Significance in Health and Disease

Exposure to nicotine and electronic cigarettes can cause oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This can accelerate aging and disease. Examples of diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction include neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (Zahedi et al.). Impaired autophagy, increased protein oxidation, and mtDNA aggregation are involved in advanced aging (Zahedi et al., 2019). Furthermore, any damage to stem cells can result in significant impacts on a developing embryo or infant. Exposure to nicotine can affect the fetus by changing pathways in the brain that are critical for motor, cognitive, and behavioural responses (Zahedi et al., 2019). Therefore, electronic cigarettes and nicotine products are not as safe as they may seem.

This image suggests mitochondrial protein oxidation coincides with increased aging. Open access image: (Zahedi, A., Phandthong, R., Chaili, A., Leung, S., Omaiye, E., & Talbot, P. (2019). Mitochondrial Stress Response in Neural Stem Cells Exposed to Electronic Cigarettes. IScience, 16, 250–269. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.05.034).

 

Key Takeaways

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by electronic cigarettes can lead to increased aging and disease
  • Nicotine can have serious effects on fetal development

License

Selected Topics in Health and Disease (2019 Edition) Copyright © by Dr. Ju. All Rights Reserved.

Share This Book