Combined analysis of N′-nitrosonornicotine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol in the urine of cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users

Introduction:
This text describes a study that aimed to develop a method for analyzing the tobacco-specific carcinogens N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and their glucuronides in human urine. The study also examines the potential for artifactual formation of NNN during the analysis process. The method was then applied to urine samples from cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users.

Key Points:

* A new method for analyzing NNN and NNAL in human urine was developed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI+ -MS/MS)
* The method is highly accurate and precise, with limits of quantitation of 0.015 and 0.075 pmol/mL urine for total NNN and total NNAL, respectively.
* An internal assessment of possible artifactual formation of NNN was included in the method, using the monitor amine [pyridine-D 4]nornicotine.
* Artifactual formation of NNN was found to comprise only 2.5% of the measured amounts of total NNN in urine of cigarette smokers, under the conditions used in the study.
* The method was applied to urine samples from 38 cigarette smokers and 27 e-cigarette users.
* Levels of total NNN and total NNAL in the urine of cigarette smokers were significantly higher than in the urine of e-cigarette users.

Main Message:
The study describes a new method for analyzing the tobacco-specific carcinogens NNN and NNAL in human urine, which is highly accurate and precise. The method also includes an internal assessment of possible artifactual formation of NNN, which was found to be minimal. The study also shows that cigarette smokers have significantly higher levels of total NNN and total NNAL in their urine compared to e-cigarette users, providing further evidence of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking.

Kotandeniya, Delshanee, Steven G. Carmella, Makenzie E. Pillsbury, and Stephen S. Hecht. “Combined Analysis of N′-Nitrosonornicotine and 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-Pyridyl)-1-Butanol in the Urine of Cigarette Smokers and e-Cigarette Users.” Journal of Chromatography B 1007 (December 2015): 121–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2015.10.012.