Evidence for endogenous formation of N'-nitrosonornicotine in some long-term nicotine patch users.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Nitrosation of nicotine or its metabolites in the human body could lead to formation of the 2 carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines-N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK).

Methods

We investigated the possibility of endogenous formation of NNN in people who had stopped smoking and used the 21-mg nicotine patch for 6 months. We quantified urinary biomarkers of exposure to NNN-the sum of NNN and its pyridine-N-glucuronide, referred to as total NNN. Also measured were NNK metabolites-the sum of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and its N- and O-glucuronides, referred to as total NNAL.

Results

The average decline of urinary total NNN was less drastic than that of total NNAL: 22% of baseline

SUBMITTER: Stepanov I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2734288 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature