ENDS use among college students: Salivary biomarkers and persistent cough.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the relationship between electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use, persistent cough, and cytokine levels in college students. The study aims to understand the potential health effects of ENDS use in this population.

Key Points:

* The study used a convenience sample of 61 undergraduate students, with roughly equal numbers of ENDS users and nonusers, and males and females.
* Participants completed surveys and provided a salivary sample to evaluate cytokine levels.
* The study found that ENDS users were more likely to be younger, use cigarettes and marijuana, and report a persistent cough.
* Controlling for cigarette and marijuana use, there was a trend toward greater likelihood of persistent cough among ENDS users.
* Compared with nonusers, salivary IL-2 and INF γwere elevated and IL-4 was decreased among ENDS users.
* There was a trend toward lower IL-12p70 values among ENDS users controlling for cigarette and marijuana use.
* The findings suggest dysregulation of salivary immune profiles toward a Th1 phenotype in emerging adult ENDS users.

Main Message:
The study provides evidence of potential short-term immune function dysregulation in young adult e-cigarette users. The findings highlight the need for continued research on the health effects of e-cigarette use, particularly among emerging adults. The study also underscores the importance of considering the impact of multiple tobacco product use, including cigarettes and marijuana, when examining the health effects of e-cigarettes.

ashford K, McCubbin a, Rayens MK, et al. ENDS use among college students: Salivary biomarkers and persistent cough. addictive behaviors. 2020;108:106462. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106462