Sex Differences in the Vascular Effects of E-cigarette Use

This study is looking into how e-cigarette use affects blood vessels differently in men and women. Researchers will test how blood vessels respond to local heating and a drug called L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), which helps them understand how nitric oxide (a natural body chemical) affects blood flow. They will also look at estrogen levels in women. The study aims to enroll 80 participants, aged 18 to 24, who either don't use e-cigarettes or have been using them for at least 6 months. The main goal is to see how much blood vessel widening changes after these interventions. The study's current status is unclear.

Study design: This interventional study plans to enroll 80 participants. It will compare people who use e-cigarettes with those who don't.
What's involved: You would have a study visit lasting about 4 hours. For women, urine estrogen levels will be measured over 1 month.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Blood vessel responses will be measured at a single study visit. Estrogen exposure will be measured for 1 month in women.

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Sex Differences in the Vascular Effects of E-cigarette Use

Recruiting

EARLY_PHASE1Ages 18–24InterventionalBasic science

Anna Stanhewicz, PhD

~80 participants

Updated 2025-12-15 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Local heating + L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; nitric oxide synthase inhibitor)Chronic estrogen exposure

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Change in microvascular endothelium-dependent dilation response measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry

Measured over at the study visit, an average of 4 hours

+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

E-cigarette Use

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Iowa1

Who to contact

Anna Reid-Stanhewicz, PHD

[email protected]

319-467-1732

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18-24 years old

one of the following:

Exclusion

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

What this trial measures

Change in microvascular endothelium-dependent dilation response measured by laser-Doppler flowmetryat the study visit, an average of 4 hours
cutaneous vascular vasodilator responses to local heating over a microdialysis fiber receiving lactated Ringer's solution, followed by L-NAME infusion to quantify NO-dependent response
monthly estrogen exposure1 month
daily estradiol levels will be measured in all women for 1 month/menstrual cycle

Trialytics