Investigation of the Effects of Electronic Cigarettes on Vascular Health

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The goal is find out if the use of Electronic cigarettes (EC) leads to the same changes that we see in blood vessels of traditional cigarettes (TC) users. The investigators will also enroll non-smokers as controls, against which they will measure changes in blood vessels in TC and EC users.

Official Title
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Investigation of the Effects of Electronic Cigarettes on Vascular Health

Conditions
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Vascular Health

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Electronic cigarette
* Behavioral: traditional cigarette
* Behavioral: (sham cigarette) - no actual exposure to cigarettes


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male or female between 18 and 50 years of age. Good general health with no history of diabetes, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, chronic disease or hypertension. Ability to sign an informed consent. Tobacco product users will have additional inclusion criteria: For TC smokers, daily TC smoking in the past 6 months, at least 10 cigarettes per day, with no EC exposure in the past 6 months For EC users, daily EC use in the past 6 months, at least 10 sessions per day, with no TC exposure in the past 6 month For non-smokers, no significant lifetime exposure to any nicotine-containing product, where significant exposure is defined as daily use of any nicotine-containing product for more than one week or once monthly use for more than 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: History of renal disease, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure or emphysema Use of ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers, diuretics, aldosterone, renin blockers, aspirin, statins, sildenafil (or other PDE5 inhibitors) and NSAIDs. History of substance abuse Currently using nicotine replacement or other tobacco cessation products or intentionally abstaining from nicotine-containing products IV contrast exposure in the past 1 month Inability to place an IV catheter or draw blood for any reason Pregnant women or breastfeeding Potential subjects will be asked if they are pregnant. Verbal confirmation of pregnancy will be sufficient. Fever of >101°F or BP >180/95 BMI ≥30

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: This is a prospective, non-randomized case controlled study of the effects of electronic cigarettes on vascular health. The study population will comprise the three groups based on the criteria EC users (experimental group), (TC) smokers (positive control) and nonsmokers (negative control).
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Electronic cigarettes (EC) smokers<br> | Behavioral: Electronic cigarette<br>* During the first encounter, blood pressure and endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) will be measured by flow mediated dilatation (FMD), and a small peripheral IV catheter will be placed in the participant's median antecubital or cephalic vein. A blood sample (10 mL) for EPCs and F2-isoprostanes will be collected. One urine sample will also be collected for measurement of urinary F2-isoprostanes, cotinine and creatinine. These will serve as both baseline measures for subsequent acute exposure to nicotine and as measures of chronic nicotine exposure. The second encounter will be scheduled 4 hours after the first encounter. At that time a blood sample (5 mL) for EPCs will be collected followed by harvesting of vascular endothelial cells for eNOS and NF-κB expression.<br>|
| Experimental: traditional cigarette (TC) smokers<br> | Behavioral: traditional cigarette<br>* During the first encounter, blood pressure and endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) will be measured by flow mediated dilatation (FMD), and a small peripheral IV catheter will be placed in the participant's median antecubital or cephalic vein. A blood sample (10 mL) for EPCs and F2-isoprostanes will be collected. One urine sample will also be collected for measurement of urinary F2-isoprostanes, cotinine and creatinine. These will serve as both baseline measures for subsequent acute exposure to nicotine and as measures of chronic nicotine exposure. The second encounter will be scheduled 4 hours after the first encounter. At that time a blood sample (5 mL) for EPCs will be collected followed by harvesting of vascular endothelial cells for eNOS and NF-κB expression.<br>|
| Active Comparator: nonsmokers<br> | Behavioral: (sham cigarette) - no actual exposure to cigarettes<br>* During the first encounter, blood pressure and endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) will be measured by flow mediated dilatation (FMD), and a small peripheral IV catheter will be placed in the participant's median antecubital or cephalic vein. A blood sample (10 mL) for EPCs and F2-isoprostanes will be collected. One urine sample will also be collected for measurement of urinary F2-isoprostanes, cotinine and creatinine. These will be compared to the second set of laboratory measurements done at the second encounter that will be scheduled 4 hours after the first encounter. At that time an additional blood sample (5 mL) for EPCs will be collected followed by harvesting of vascular endothelial cells for eNOS and NF-κB expression.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Differences in levels of F2-isoprostanes in participants | F2-isoprostanes in blood and urine | 2 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Electronic Cigarettes, 17-071