Exploratory untargeted metabolomics analysis reveals differences in metabolite profiles in pregnant people exposed vs. unexposed to E-cigarettes secondhand in the NYU children's health and environment study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Secondhand exposure to e-cigarettes represents a potential population health risk given e-cigarette's prevalence and their unknown health effects, particularly among vulnerable populations such as pregnant people.
OBJECTIVES: To explore metabolomic differences between pregnant people exposed vs. not exposed to secondhand e-cigarette aeresols, to identify possible biomarkers of exposure and metabolic pathways perturbed by e-cigarettes.
METHODS: Exposed participants (n = 19) from the NYU Children's Health and Environment Study were matched to unexposed participants (n = 57) at a 1:3 ratio on age, hospital of recruitment, and race/ethnicity. Early-pregnancy urine samples were analyzed via an untargeted metabolomics platform using reverse-phase liquid chromatography mass-spectrometry. Feature-exposure associations were estimated using conditional logistic regression to adjust for matching factors. A sensitivity analysis was conducted adjusting for secondhand tobacco exposure.
RESULTS: Among features enriched in the exposed group were flavonoids and flavor-related compounds including homoeriodictyol and naringenin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronide, 3-acetomidocoumarin, and guaiacol pentosylglucoside; synthetic drugs such as the endocannabinoid AM1172 and the stimulant alpha-PVP; and metabolites associated with lipid metabolism, including 2,4-undecadiene-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide, palmitamide, glycerol trihexanoate, and tetradecyl phosphonate. Among features negatively…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 57 participants or records.
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