Examining how e-cigarette use affects blood vessels differently in men and women

Sex Differences in the Vascular Effects of E-cigarette Use

Early Phase 1 Interventional University of Iowa · NCT06159608

This study is testing how using e-cigarettes affects blood vessels in young men and women to see if there are any differences in their responses.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 24 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Iowa Academic / other
Locations1 site (Iowa City, Iowa)
Trial IDNCT06159608 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the vascular effects of e-cigarette use, focusing on potential sex differences in response to vaping. Participants aged 18-24 will either be current e-cigarette users or individuals with no history of e-cigarette use. The study will utilize local heating and a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, alongside chronic estrogen exposure to assess vascular function. The goal is to better understand the cardiovascular implications of e-cigarette use among young adults, a demographic with increasing prevalence of vaping.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are young adults aged 18-24 who are either current e-cigarette users or have never used e-cigarettes.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of cardiovascular or metabolic diseases, or those who have ever used tobacco cigarettes, will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into the cardiovascular risks associated with e-cigarette use, potentially guiding safer vaping practices.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research on the cardiovascular effects of e-cigarettes, this study aims to fill a gap in understanding sex differences, making it a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-24 years old
* one of the following:

  1. have no history of e-cigarette use
  2. be a current e-cigarette user who has been using e-cigarettes for 6 months or longer

Exclusion Criteria:

* history of cardiovascular, metabolic, and/or skin diseases
* body mass index \>30 kg/m2
* blood pressure ≥140 systolic and/or ≥ 90 diastolic
* current or history of tobacco cigarette use
* current antihypertensive or cholesterol-lowering medication
* current use of cannabis, marijuana, and/or other illegal substances
* current use of stimulant drugs
* currently pregnant or breastfeeding
* allergy to materials used during the experiment (e.g. latex),
* known allergy to study drugs
* healthy control subjects will also be excluded if they have ever used e-cigarettes in the past

Where this trial is running

Iowa City, Iowa

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions E-cigarette Use
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.