CBD Oil and Vitamin E Acetate in Vaping Products Adhered to and Damaged Human Airway Cells in Lab Tests
When human bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to CBD oil and vitamin E acetate aerosols in the lab, both substances adhered to airway surfaces and accumulated inside cells, causing dramatically increased cell death and markers of metabolic stress.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
CBD oil exposure caused dramatically increased cell death after 3 days, and this effect was even higher with CBD + vitamin E acetate (VEA) combined. Microscopy revealed cannabinoid and VEA deposits on epithelial surfaces and cannabinoid accumulation inside cells. Proteomic analysis showed increases in xenobiotic enzymes, oxidative stress markers, and cell death indicators.
Key Numbers
Cell death dramatically increased after 3 days of CBD exposure. CBD + VEA exposure caused even greater cell death. Proteomic analysis identified increased xenobiotic enzymes, oxidative stress markers, and cell death indicators.
How They Did This
Primary human bronchial epithelial cell cultures exposed to e-liquid aerosols containing CBD oil and VEA alone or combined, with PG/VG (with and without nicotine) as controls. Cell viability, microscopy, and proteomic analysis.
Why This Research Matters
The 2019 EVALI outbreak hospitalized thousands of young people, and the CDC linked it to vitamin E acetate in cannabis vaping products. This study provides a cellular mechanism showing how these substances physically damage airway cells.
The Bigger Picture
While the EVALI crisis largely subsided after vitamin E acetate was identified and removed from most products, unregulated cannabis vaping products remain widely available. Understanding exactly how these additives damage lungs helps inform both regulation and clinical treatment.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
In vitro cell culture model does not fully replicate in vivo lung conditions. Exposure durations and concentrations may not match real-world vaping patterns. Did not test THC oil, only CBD oil. Limited to short-term effects.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do these findings apply equally to THC oil vaping products?
- ?What concentration threshold triggers significant airway damage?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CBD oil aerosol caused dramatic cell death in human airway cells after 3 days
- Evidence Grade:
- In vitro lab study using primary human cells. Provides mechanistic insight but results require in vivo validation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2023.
- Original Title:
- Vaping additives cannabinoid oil and vitamin E acetate adhere to and damage the human airway epithelium.
- Published In:
- Journal of applied toxicology : JAT, 43(5), 680-693 (2023)
- Authors:
- Reidel, Boris, Abdelwahab, Sabri, Wrennall, Joe Alexander, Clapp, Phillip W, Beers, Jessica L, Jackson, Klarissa D, Tarran, Robert, Kesimer, Mehmet
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04874
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vaping CBD oil harmful to the lungs?
In this lab study, CBD oil aerosol adhered to and accumulated inside human airway cells, causing significant cell death and metabolic stress markers after just 3 days of exposure.
What role did vitamin E acetate play in lung damage?
Vitamin E acetate combined with CBD oil caused even greater cell death than CBD oil alone. Both substances deposited on airway surfaces and were taken up by cells.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- cannabis-cardiovascular-heart-risk-stroke
- cannabis-heart-cardiovascular-risk
- coughing-up-stuff-after-quitting-weed
- lung-recovery-after-quitting-smoking-weed
- lung-recovery-quitting-weed
- quitting-weed-female-hormones
- quitting-weed-weight-gain-loss-diet-appetite
- sex-after-quitting-weed
- weed-DUI-driving-impaired-cannabis-laws
- weed-acne-skin
- weed-fertility-sperm
- weed-gut-digestion-problems
- weed-heart-health
- weed-testosterone-levels
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04874APA
Reidel, Boris; Abdelwahab, Sabri; Wrennall, Joe Alexander; Clapp, Phillip W; Beers, Jessica L; Jackson, Klarissa D; Tarran, Robert; Kesimer, Mehmet. (2023). Vaping additives cannabinoid oil and vitamin E acetate adhere to and damage the human airway epithelium.. Journal of applied toxicology : JAT, 43(5), 680-693. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.4415
MLA
Reidel, Boris, et al. "Vaping additives cannabinoid oil and vitamin E acetate adhere to and damage the human airway epithelium.." Journal of applied toxicology : JAT, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.4415
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Vaping additives cannabinoid oil and vitamin E acetate adher..." RTHC-04874. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/reidel-2023-vaping-additives-cannabinoid-oil
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.