Correlation between biomarkers of exposure, effect and potential harm in the urine of electronic cigarette users.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:To determine if urinary biomarkers of effect and potential harm are elevated in electronic cigarette users compared with non-smokers and if elevation correlates with increased concentrations of metals in urine. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:This was a cross-sectional study of biomarkers of exposure, effect and potential harm in urine from non-smokers (n=20), electronic cigarette users (n=20) and cigarette smokers (n=13). Participant's screening and urine collection were performed at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and biomarker analysis and metal analysis were performed at the University of California, Riverside. RESULTS:Metallothionein was significantly elevated in the electronic cigarette group (3761±3932?pg/mg) compared with the non-smokers (1129±1294?pg/mg, p=0.05). 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine) was significantly elevated in electronic cigarette users (442.8±300.7?ng/mg) versus non-smokers (221.6±157.8?ng/mg, p=0.01). 8-Isoprostane showed a significant increase in electronic cigarette users (750.8±433?pg/mg) versus non-smokers (411.2±287.4?pg/mg, p=0.03). Linear regression analysis in the electronic cigarette group showed a significant correlation between cotinine and total metal concentration; total metal concentration and metallothionein; cotinine and oxidative DNA damage; and total metal concentration and oxidative DNA damage. Zinc was significantly elevated in the electronic cigarette users (584.5±826.6?µg/g) compared with non-smokers (413.6±233.7?µg/g, p=0.03). Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between urinary zinc concentration and 8-OHdG in the electronic cigarette users. CONCLUSIONS:This study is the first to investigate biomarkers of potential harm and effect in electronic cigarette users and to show a linkage to metal exposure. The biomarker levels in electronic cigarette users were similar to (and not lower than) cigarette smokers. In electronic cigarette users, there was a link to elevated total metal exposure and oxidative DNA damage. Specifically, our results demonstrate that zinc concentration was correlated to oxidative DNA damage.

SUBMITTER: Sakamaki-Ching S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7047495 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature