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Biomedical subjects

K D Brunnemann

Publications and source records attributed to K D Brunnemann.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Identification and analysis of a new tobacco-specific N-nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-4-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol.

A new tobacco-specific N-nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-4-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (iso-NNAL) was isolated from snuff tobacco. Structural characterization of this N-nitrosamine was confirmed by mass spectral analysis. Five popular US brands of moist snuff and three popular US brands of dry snuff tobacco were analyzed for moisture, nicotine and tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines. The moisture content varied from 20 to 53% in moist snuff and from 4.7 to 5.6% in dry snuff. The nicotine levels in these samples varied from 0.6 to 3.2%. The newly identified iso-NNAL was present in concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 2.5 p.p.m. whereas other tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines, N-nitrosonornicotine, N-nitrosoanatabine, N-nitrosoanabasine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone were found to range from 0.1 to 178 p.p.m. Iso-NNAL was not detected in mainstream and sidestream smoke of cigarettes. Iso-NNAL is genotoxic in primary rat hepatocytes; its tumorigenic properties are currently being tested in mice and rats.

Carcinogens↗

Toxic and carcinogenic agents in dry and moist snuff.

The oral use of snuff is causatively associated with cancer of the oral cavity. Since most epidemiologic studies to date relate to the long-term use of dry snuff, which has dominated the U.S. smokeless tobacco market in the past, the concentrations of several toxic and carcinogenic agents in the three most popular dry snuff brands have been compared with those in the five most popular moist snuff brands sold in the United States. All eight samples were analyzed for nitrate, alkaloids, polyphenols, volatile carbonyl compounds, lead, cadmium, selenium, and the carcinogenic compounds benzo[a]pyrene (CAS: 50-32-8), polonium-210 (CAS: 13981-52-7), volatile N-nitrosamines (VNAs), N-nitrosodiethanolamine (CAS: 1116-54-7), and the tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs). Most of the snuff brands were rich in nitrate (greater than or equal to 1.5%), total polyphenols (greater than 2%), and in nicotine (greater than or equal to 1.5%), which is the habituating factor in tobacco use. Concentrations of the VNAs were significantly above the permissible limits set for some food products; the concentrations of the TSNAs in both snuff types exceeded the levels of nitrosamines in other consumer products by at least two to three orders of magnitude. The extremely high levels of the TSNAs in snuff have remained unchanged during the last decade and present the major carcinogenic risk factor for the oral use of snuff. Polonium-210 contributes further to the carcinogenic risk associated with snuff. The chemical-analytical data presented in this study do not indicate marked differences in the carcinogenic potential of moist snuff compared to dry snuff.

Acetone↗

A study of snuff carcinogenesis.

Dry snuff contains high levels of tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA); their concentrations exceed by more than 100 times the quantities of nitrosamines found in any other consumer product. The concentrations of TSNA are similar in dry snuff and in the more popular moist snuff. In addition to the four TSNA identified earlier [N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), N'-nitrosoanatabine (NAT) and N'-nitrosoanabasine (NAB)], two new nitrosamines were detected in snuff, namely 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAl; 0.07-0.15 ppm) and 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-4-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (iso-NNAl; 0.06-1.1 ppm). After oral swabbing with a mixture of NNN and NNK, rats developed tumours of the oral cavity and lung, showing that these TSNA are not only organ-specific carcinogens but can also induce local tumours. After swabbing an extract of snuff containing the same concentrations of NNN and NNK, significantly fewer tumours were induced in the oral cavity and lung, indicating inhibition of the tumorigenic activity of the TSNA by other snuff constituents.

Animals↗

The role of N-(nitrosomethylamino)propionitrile in betel-quid carcinogenesis.

N-(Nitrosomethylamino)propionitrile (NMAP) was isolated and identified in the saliva of betel-quid chewers in amounts ranging from 0.5 to 11.4 micrograms/l. Groups of 21 male and 21 female rats were given 60 subcutaneous injections of NMAP over a 20-week period (total doses, 0.055 and 0.23 mmol/rat). After 106 weeks, the higher dose had induced 18 (86%) malignant tumours of the nasal cavity in male and 15 (71%) in female rats. Nine (43%) liver tumours were observed among animals treated with the lower dose. Fischer 344 rats were treated with a single dose of NMAP (intravenously or subcutaneously, 0.4 mmol/kg; or by swabbing the oral cavity, 2.21 mmol/kg), and the levels of N7-methylguanine (7-meG) and O6-methylguanine (O6-meG) were measured in DNA isolated from oesophagus and nasal mucosa, which are target organs, and from liver which is not. Higher levels of O6-meG and 7-meG were detected in the nasal mucosa and lesser DNA methylation in the liver and oesophagus, independent of the mode of administration. This correlates with the results of the study of the tumorigenic properties of NMAP in rats.

Alkylation↗

Oral lesions, genotoxicity and nitrosamines in betel quid chewers with no obvious increase in oral cancer risk.

A link between the generation of areca nut-related N-nitrosamines in the saliva, the induction of genotoxic damage in the oral mucosa, as judged by an increase in micronucleated exfoliated cells (MEC), and a low incidence of oral cancer was studied in 2 population groups characterized by their habit of chewing quids without tobacco: Guamanians, who chew areca nuts (Areca catechu) with or without the addition of betel leaf (Piper betle); Taiwanese, who use areca nut, betel leaf or inference and slaked lime. The levels of N-nitrosoguvacoline (NG) in the saliva of chewers of fresh green areca nuts were very high (70.8 ng/ml) as compared to those reported for individuals using the more complex Indian betel quids (0.91 ng/ml or 5.6 ng/ml). None of the other areca nut-related nitrosamines (N-nitrosoguvacine (NGC), 3-(methylnitrosamino)propionitrile (MNPN) and 3-(methylnitrosamino)propionaldehyde (MNPA)) were detected in the saliva of Taiwanese betel quid chewers. The addition of slaked lime to the areca nut enhances the formation of NG during a chewing session. The frequency of MEC did not increase in the oral mucosa of areca nut chewers who do not use slaked lime, but showed a small but significant elevation in individuals using lime-containing quids. The elevation of MEC in Taiwanese, who are at low risk for oral cancer, is relatively small as compared to that found in chewers of Indian betel quids (pan), who show a highly elevated oral cancer risk. The results seem to suggest that NG may play only a minor role, if any, in the etiology of oral cancer among betel quid chewers.

Areca↗

Carcinogenic agents in snuff.

The oral use of snuff has been associated with an increased-risk for cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx. The five most popular U.S. snuff brands were analyzed for alkaloids, volatile and tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA), benzo[a]pyrene (CAS: 50-32-8), and polonium-210. The carcinogenic TSNA in the five snuff brands ranged from 9,600 to 289,000 ppb. These concentrations exceed the nitrosamine concentrations of other consumer products by at least 2 orders of magnitude. Polonium amounted to 0.16-1.22 pCi/g dry snuff. Trace amounts of benzo[a]pyrene (0.1-63 ppb) were indicative of contamination of the tobacco with thermal degradation products, probably due to fire curing or flue curing. The findings from this study, the biologic activity of snuff in animal models, and the epidemiologic studies on snuff use and oral cancer strongly suggest the need for reduction of carcinogens and especially of nitrosamines and polonium-210 in snuff.

Benzo(a)pyrene↗

The effect of nass use and smoking on the risk of oral leukoplakia.

The results of a survey of a population with a high incidence of oral cancer are presented in this paper. A remarkably high proportion (41%) of the men surveyed used nass, which is a mixture of tobacco, lime, ash, and cotton oil. The prevalence of oral leukoplakia, lesions thought to be a precursor of oral cancer, was high in persons who used nass (12%) and who smoked cigarettes (15%), and highest among those men who both used nass and smoked (21%). It has been shown that nass use increases the frequency of micronucleated cells in the exfoliated sublingual cells. The clastogenic and genotoxic effect of nass revealed in the study could be attributed to the presence of tobacco-specific N-nitroso compounds. However, the results of chemical analysis, which has shown that nass contains relatively low levels of these compounds, suggest that the relatively strong genotoxic activity of nass could primarily be associated with other chemicals, possibly oxidized phenolics. Despite the uncertainty as to which of the chemicals contained in nass are involved in the etiology of oral cancer and what exactly are the mechanisms of nass-induced carcinogenesis, the results of this study suggest that in populations where nass is widely used, oral leukoplakia and, most probably, oral cancer are conditions that could be prevented by the elimination of nass use and cigarette smoking.

Aged↗

New aspects of tobacco carcinogenesis.

In tobacco smoke, catechols represent a major group of cocarcinogens. Model studies have indicated that polyphenols and polysaccharides are two major groups of precursors for the catechol formation during smoking. Results from the application of BP together with catechol on mouse skin indicate that the detoxification path of BP metabolism is decreased and the formation of the BP-7,8-diol is increased in comparison to the metabolism pattern observed when BP is applied alone. It remains to be demonstrated that the increased BP-7,8-diol formation leads also to increased formation of BP-DNA adducts in epithelial tissues. The nicotine-derived N-nitrosamines represent a major group of carcinogens in chewing tobacco, snuff, and tobacco smoke. Their concentrations in processed tobacco and smoke exceed by far those of carcinogenic nitrosamines in other environmental materials. Whereas it has been shown that nicotine gives rise to NNN and NNK during tobacco chewing, the endogenous formation of these potent carcinogens upon smoke inhalation has so far not been demonstrated. However, the formation of N-nitrosoproline in cigarette smokers and snuff dippers proves that smoke and snuff have a measurable potential for the endogenous formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. Finally, the data presented here indicate that the individuals subjected to passive smoke exposure under controlled conditions take up measurable amounts of particulate matter. The nicotine level in the saliva of nonsmokers reflect recent passive smoke exposure and levels of nicotine and cotinine in urine reflect the long-term exposure to smoke particulates. The indicators, measured in saliva and serum, make it clear that uptake of particulates due to passive smoke exposure corresponds only to a low percentage (less than 2%) of the particulates that represent the uptake of a 1 pack-a-day adult smoker. However, in special settings, such as in the exposure of infants to the smoke pollutants generated by their mothers, uptake of smoke constituents can reach levels which raise concerns as to possible long range toxic effects. A broader base of subjects and a wider range of pollution situations need to be tested in order to substantiate the significance of the dosimetry of uptake executed to date. Such measurements constitute an attempt at more accurate risk assessment for nonsmokers in smoke polluted environments.

Animals↗

A study of betel quid carcinogenesis. IV. Analysis of the saliva of betel chewers: a preliminary report.

Betel quid chewing is strongly associated with cancer of the oral cavity, especially when tobacco is added to the quid. It is our working hypothesis that, during chewing, Areca-derived N-nitrosamines are formed and, in the presence of tobacco, Nicotiana-specific N-nitrosamines are formed as well and further that these agents may contribute to the high risk of oral cancer in betel-quid chewers. This preliminary report presents our finding of N-nitrosoguvacoline in the saliva of betel-quid chewers (2.2-350 ppb). When the quid contains tobacco, the tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines, N'-nitrosonornicotine (1.2-38.3 ppb), N'-nitrosoanatabine (3.2-39.5 ppb), and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (1.0-2.3 ppb) are also found in the saliva.

Areca↗

Tobacco sidestream smoke: uptake by nonsmokers.

Some epidemiological studies indicate an association between passive smoking and an increased risk for cancer, especially for cancer of the lung. Other reports, however, have failed to confirm these findings. Biochemical analyses of the physiological fluids for markers of exposure to tobacco smoke are needed as measurements of the uptake of smoke components by nonsmokers and for the estimation of relative cancer risk to passively exposed persons compared with that to active cigarette smokers. This communication reports the uptake of carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and nicotine after passive smoke exposure under controlled conditions. The results indicate that salivary nicotine values reflect the level of recent passive smoke exposure within an hour and that urinary cotinine values indicate the level of passive smoke exposure in the preceding hours. N-Nitrosoproline has been shown to serve as an indicator of endogenous N-nitrosamine formation in cigarette smokers: yet, preliminary studies do not indicate that urinary excretion of N-nitrosoproline is increased following short-term passive smoke exposure. In infants, first field studies suggest a correlation between exposure to tobacco-smoke-polluted environments and levels of cotinine in both serum and urine.

Carboxyhemoglobin↗

Endogenous formation of N-nitrosoproline upon cigarette smoke inhalation.

It was the goal of this study to assay the potential of inhaled cigarette smoke for endogenous N-nitrosation of amines in smokers by measuring urinary excretion of N-nitrosoproline (NPRO). Nonsmoking and smoking men were placed on a controlled diet which was low in proline and in ascorbic acid. On days 1-3, the volunteers received the controlled diet alone (Group I); on days 4-6, the diet was supplemented by a single daily dose of 300 mg proline (Group II); on days 7-9, the diet was supplemented by a single daily dose of 1 g ascorbic acid followed by 300 mg proline (Group III); and for the last three days, a single daily dose of 1 g ascorbic acid was given (Group IV). Collections of 24-h urine were made on days 3, 6, 9 and 12 of the study. The urine was analysed for NPRO, creatinine and cotinine. The mean 24-h NPRO excretion for 13 nonsmokers in Group I was 3.6 micrograms, whereas the NPRO excretion in 13 smokers was 5.9 micrograms/24 h, significantly higher than that of the nonsmokers (p less than 0.05). Urinary NPRO in 14 nonsmokers of Group II was significantly lower than that of the 14 smoking volunteers (p less than 0.05). In Group III smokers had reduced urinary levels of NPRO as a consequence of ascorbic acid intake. Differences in NPRO excretion by smokers and nonsmokers in Group IV were insignificant. These findings suggest that the documented endogenous N-nitrosation of proline which occurs as a result of cigarette smoke inhalation may also apply to other N-nitrosatable amines, including nicotine, and thus lead to in-vivo formation of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines. Four nonsmokers exposed to passive smoke for 80 min three times per day did not exhibit elevated NPRO levels in their 24-h urine.

Adult↗

A study of betel quid carcinogenesis. II. Formation of N-nitrosamines during betel quid chewing.

In model studies, nitrosation of the major areca alkaloid, arecoline, leads to the formation of N-nitrosoguvacoline, 3-(methylnitrosamino)propionitrile (MNPN), 3-(methylnitrosamino)propionaldehyde and two unknown N-nitrosamines. MNPN is a strong carcinogen in Fischer 344 rats. After subcutaneous injection of 1.1 mmol MNPN in 60 doses, all 15 male and 15 female rats developed tumours within 24 weeks; multiple tumours occurred in 26 of the rats. Eighty-seven percent of the animals had tumours of the oesophagus, 70% had nasal cavity tumours, 37% had tumours of the tongue, 7% tumours of the pharynx and 7% tumors of the forestomach. At the dose used, male and female rats showed no significant difference in tumour incidence or site of tumours. The formation of MNPN during betel quid chewing, although likely, has not yet been proven, while the areca-derived N-nitrosamine, N-nitrosoguvacoline (NG), has been found in the saliva of betel quid chewers at levels of 2.2-348 micrograms/L. N-Nitrosoguvacoline levels were higher in the saliva of chewers who used betel quid together with tobacco. The saliva of these chewers also contained tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines.

Animals↗