This study will examine the effects of electronic cigarette e-liquid nicotine content in a randomized, crossover clinical and behavioral pharmacology study of experienced adult e-cigarette users (N=36). The specific aim is to determine the impact of nicotine content of e-liquid on nicotine pharmacology, systemic exposure to toxic volatile organic compounds, and short-term cardiovascular effects.
This is a within-subjects, crossover design of advanced electronic cigarette users in which we will examine nicotine pharmacokinetics, subjective effects, daily nicotine intake and nicotine titration, short-term cardiovascular effects, and toxicant exposure when participants are using low vs. high nicotine e-liquids. Hypothesis 1: E-cigarette users will titrate their intake of nicotine such that they will inhale fewer aerosol toxicants and suffer less harm to health when using higher vs. lower nicotine content e-liquids. Hypothesis 2: Compared to low nicotine, high nicotine e-liquid use will have similar cardiovascular effects throughout the day (due to compensatory behavioral changes), with similar effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and catecholamine release. Hypothesis 3: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will be lower when vaping high nicotine e-liquids compared to low nicotine e-liquids.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Participants will vape e-liquid with nicotine concentration of 3 mg/ml.
Participants will vape either e-liquid with nicotine concentration of 18 mg/ml or a JUUL device with JUUL pod of 59 mg/ml nicotine e-liquid.
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
San Francisco, California, United States
Nicotine Exposure
Plasma nicotine area under curve (AUC) (ng/ml\*h)
Time frame: Day 1 of each Arm
Cardiovascular Effects: Heart Rate
Participant heart rate will be measured in beats per minute throughout the inpatient stay.
Time frame: Days 1-3 of each Arm
Cardiovascular Effects: Systolic Blood Pressure
Participant systolic blood pressure will be taken for 24 hours during ad-lib e-cigarette use.
Time frame: Day 2 of each Arm
Cardiovascular Effects: Diastolic Blood Pressure
Participant diastolic blood pressure will be taken for 24 hours during ad-lib e-cigarette use.
Time frame: Day 2 of each Arm
Vaping Topography: Puff Number
Vaping topography measures will be obtained from self-reported participant vaping log during the ad libitum sessions and measured as puffs per minute.
Time frame: Days 1-3 of each Arm
Vaping Topography: Puff Duration
Vaping topography measures will be obtained from self-reported participant vaping log during the ad libitum sessions and measured as seconds per puff.
Time frame: Days 1-3 of each Arm
Vaping Topography: Inter-Puff Interval
Vaping topography measures will be obtained from self-reported participant vaping log during the ad libitum sessions and measured as seconds/minutes between puffs.
Time frame: Days 1-3 of each Arm
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