Impact of Sex, Nicotine Concentration and Age in a New Mouse Vaping Model

Abstract ID 128020 Poster Board 138 Background: Smoking is linked to 1 in every 3 cancer deaths in the United States. Although cigarette smoking has decreased in recent years, electronic cigarette vaping has increased in popularity, especially among adolescents and young adults. The long-term effects of vaping and the risks for cancer are unknown and are of great interest. The objective of our research is to characterize a new e-cigarette vapor self-administration model and explore the impact of sex, nicotine concentration and age in adolescent and young adult mice to eventually study new mechanisms underlying nicotine dependence. Methods: Adolescent and young adult mice on a C57BL/6J (C57) background were used to characterize this new nicotine vaping model, analyzing vapor intake, locomotor activity, and somatic signs of withdrawal. Vapor intake was recorded for adolescent and adult C57 mice, and adult β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) knockout (KO) mice. Results: Male and female young adult C57 mice differed in their vaping intake of nicotine but both showed a dose-dependent increase in somatic signs of nicotine withdrawal after vaping cessation. Adolescent C57 mice are more resistant to the aversive doses of nicotine when compared to young adult mice. Adult β2 KO mice showed decreased intake for nicotine compared to wild type (WT). Conclusions: This model is reliable as a vaping self-administration model. Female C57 mice may be more sensitive to the rewarding properties of nicotine and adolescents may be more resistant to the aversive properties of nicotine. Future studies will look at potential new pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation. Extramural funding: This research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse P30DA033934 and a pilot grant from the Virginia Youth Tobacco Projects (VYTP) Program.