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Sex Differences in the Vascular Effects of E-cigarette Use
NCT06159608 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, or e-cigarettes - colloquially referred to as "vaping" - in the United States has increased exponentially since their introduction to the US market in 2007. Prevalence of ever and current e-cigarette use is highest among teenagers and young adults with 16-28% of this population having reported vaping. While the majority of e-cigarette users are current tobacco smokers, 32.5% of current e-cigarette users are never- or former-smokers, representing a growing population of young adults who exclusively vape. While e-cigarettes have been marketed as a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes, clinical studies examining these claims are limited. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of premature death among tobacco cigarette smokers and reductions in vascular endothelial function, a significant predictor of future CVD, are detectible in otherwise healthy young adults who smoke. Despite the explosion in e-cigarette use among young adults, the health effects - especially the effects on mechanisms of vascular function - of these devices remain relatively unexplored. In this study, we use the blood vessels in the skin as a representative vascular bed for examining mechanisms of microvascular dysfunction in humans. Using a minimally invasive technique (intradermal microdialysis for the local delivery of pharmaceutical agents) we examine the blood vessels in a dime-sized area of the skin in otherwise healthy young (18-24yrs) chronic e-cigarette users. Local heating of the skin at the microdialysis sites is used to explore differences in mechanisms governing microvascular control. As a compliment to these measurements, we also draw blood from the subjects to measure circulating factors that may contribute to cardiovascular health and examine markers of inflammatory activation. We will also collect urine from female participants to measure estradiol.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Local heating + L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; nitric oxide synthase inhibitor)
- OTHER Chronic estrogen exposure
Study Locations (1)
Iowa
- University of Iowa — Iowa City
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 80 participants |
| Start Date | 2023-12-02 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-12 |
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06159608
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06159608 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as Early Phase 1, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 80 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Anna Stanhewicz, PhD, which has 12 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with E-cigarette Use appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Local heating + L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06159608 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Iowa. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06159608 about?
NCT06159608 is a clinical study titled "Sex Differences in the Vascular Effects of E-cigarette Use". The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, or e-cigarettes - colloquially referred to as "vaping" - in the United States has increased exponentially since their introduction to the US market in 2007. Prevalence of ever and current e-cigarette use is highest among teenagers and young adults wit...
What is the current status of trial NCT06159608?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a Early Phase 1 study. The enrollment target is 80 participants. The study started on 2023-12-02. Estimated completion is 2026-12.
What conditions does trial NCT06159608 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: E-cigarette Use. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06159608?
The interventions under investigation include: Local heating + L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) (DRUG), Chronic estrogen exposure (OTHER). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06159608?
This trial is sponsored by Anna Stanhewicz, PhD, which has 12 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06159608 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Iowa. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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