Biotransformation of 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in Lung Tissue from Mouse, Rat, Hamster, and Man

LKB1 phosphorylation and deactivation in lung cancer by NNAL, a metabolite of tobacco-specific carcinogen, in an isomer-dependent manner

LKB1 loss of function is one key oncogenic event in lung cancer. Clinical data suggest that LKB1 loss of function is associated with patients' smoking status. The responsible ingredients and molecular mechanisms in tobacco for LKB1 loss of function, however, are not defined. In this study, we reported that NNAL, a major metabolite of a tobacco-specific carcinogen NNK, induces LKB1 phosphorylation and its loss of function via the β-AR/PKA signaling pathway in an isomer-dependent manner in human lung cancer cells. NNAL exposure also resulted in enhanced lung cancer cell migration and chemoresistance in an LKB1-dependent manner. A 120-day NNAL exposure in lung cancer cells, mimicking its chronic exposure among smokers, resulted in more prominent LKB1 phosphorylation, cell migration, and chemoresistance even in the absence of NNAL, indicating the long-lasting LKB1 loss of function although such an effect eventually disappeared after NNAL was removed for two months. These observations were confirmed in a lung cancer xenograft model. More importantly, human lung cancer tissues revealed elevated LKB1 phosphorylation in comparison to the paired normal lung tissues. These results suggest that LKB1 loss of function in human lung cancer could be extended to its phosphorylation, which may be mediated by NNAL from tobacco smoke in an isomer-dependent manner via the β-AR/PKA signaling pathway.

Metabolism and DNA Adduct Formation of Tobacco-Specific N-Nitrosamines

The tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) always occur together and exclusively in tobacco products or in environments contaminated by tobacco smoke. They have been classified as "carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In 1998, we published a review of the biochemistry, biology and carcinogenicity of tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Over the past 20 years, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the mechanisms of metabolism and DNA adduct formation by these two important carcinogens, along with progress on their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. In this review, we aim to provide an update on the carcinogenicity and mechanisms of the metabolism and DNA interactions of NNK and NNN.

Prominent Stereoselectivity of NNAL Glucuronidation in Upper Aerodigestive Tract Tissues

Tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are among the most potent carcinogens found in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. Decreases in TSNA detoxification, particularly 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), have been associated with tobacco-related cancer incidence. NNK is metabolized by carbonyl reduction to its major carcinogenic metabolite, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), which is detoxified by glucuronidation at the nitrogen within the pyridine ring or at the chiral alcohol to form four glucuronide products: (R)-NNAL-O-Gluc, (S)-NNAL-O-Gluc, (R)-NNAL-N-Gluc, (S)-NNAL-N-Gluc. Stereoselective NNAL-Gluc formation and the relative expression of NNAL-glucuronidating UGTs (1A4, 1A9, 1A10, 2B7, 2B10, 2B17) were analyzed in 39 tissue specimens from the upper aerodigestive tract (esophagus (n = 13), floor of mouth (n = 4), larynx (n = 9), tongue (n = 7), and tonsil (n = 6)). All pooled tissue types preferentially formed (R)-NNAL-O-Gluc in the presence of racemic-NNAL; only esophagus exhibited any detectable formation of (S)-NNAL-O-Gluc. For every tissue type examined, UGT1A10 exhibited the highest relative expression levels among the NNAL-O-glucuronidating UGTs, ranging from 36% (tonsil) to 49% (esophagus), followed by UGT1A9 > UGT2B7 > UGT2B17. UGT1A10 also exhibited similar or higher levels of expression as compared to both NNAL-N-glucuronidating UGTs, 1A4 and 2B10. In a screening of cells expressing individual UGT enzymes, all NNAL glucuronidating UGTs exhibited some level of stereospecific preference for individual NNAL enantiomers, with UGTs 1A10 and 2B17 forming primarily (R)-NNAL-O-Gluc. These data suggest that UGTs 1A10 and 2B17 may be important enzymes in the detoxification of TSNAs like NNK in tissues of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Review of biomarkers to assess the effects of switching from cigarettes to modified risk tobacco products

Context: One approach to reducing the harm caused by cigarette smoking, at both individual and population level, is to develop, assess and commercialize modified risk alternatives that adult smokers can switch to. Studies to demonstrate the exposure and risk reduction potential of such products generally involve the measuring of biomarkers, of both exposure and effect, sampled in various biological matrices.Objective: In this review, we detail the pros and cons for using several biomarkers as indicators of effects of changing from conventional cigarettes to modified risk products.Materials and methods: English language publications between 2008 and 2017 were retrieved from PubMed using the same search criteria for each of the 25 assessed biomarkers. Nine exclusion criteria were applied to exclude non-relevant publications.Results: A total of 8876 articles were retrieved (of which 7476 were excluded according to the exclusion criteria). The literature indicates that not all assessed biomarkers return to baseline levels following smoking cessation during the study periods but that nine had potential for use in medium to long-term studies.Discussion and conclusion: In clinical studies, it is important to choose biomarkers that show the biological effect of cessation within the duration of the study.

Use of rodent data for cancer risk assessment of smokeless tobacco in the regulatory context

To support risk management decisions, information from different fields has been integrated in this presentation to provide a realistic quantitative cancer risk assessment of smokeless tobacco. Smoking among Swedish men is currently below 10%, while about 20% use a special smokeless tobacco (snus) as a substitute for cigarettes. Epidemiological data and molecular biomarkers demonstrate that rodent bioassays with tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA) overestimate cancer risk from snus by more than one order of magnitude. The underlying reasons are discussed. DNA damage constitutes a necessary, although not sufficient prerequisite for cancer initiation. Individuals who have not used tobacco exhibit DNA lesions identical with those induced by TSNA. No increase above this adduct background can be shown from snus, and extensive epidemiological studies in Sweden have failed to demonstrate elevated cancer risks even in long term users. A "bench mark" for acceptable risk of 1/10(6) derived from rodent data has been suggested when regulating snus. By relating similarly derived estimates for some food contaminants, the implementation even of a limit of 1/10(4) may be unrealistic. The management of smokeless tobacco products has rarely been based on a scientifically sound risk assessment, where attention is given to the outstandingly higher hazards associated with smoking.

Stereospecific Metabolism of the Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamine, NNAL

Among the most potent carcinogens in tobacco are the tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), with 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) being the most potent as well as one of the most abundant. NNK is extensively metabolized to the equally carcinogenic 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL). Of the two NNAL enantiomers, (S)-NNAL not only appears to be preferentially glucuronidated and excreted in humans but also exhibits higher stereoselective tissue retention in mice and humans and has been shown to be more carcinogenic in mice than its (R) counterpart. Due to the differential carcinogenic potential of the NNAL enantiomers, it is increasingly important to know which UGT enzyme targets the specific NNAL enantiomers for glucuronidation. To examine this, a chiral separation method was developed to isolate enantiomerically pure (S)- and (R)-NNAL. Comparison of NNAL glucuronides (NNAL-Glucs) formed in reactions of UGT2B7-, UGT2B17-, UGT1A9-, and UGT2B10-overexpressing cell microsomes with pure NNAL enantiomers showed large differences in kinetics for (S)- versus (R)-NNAL, indicating varying levels of enantiomeric preference for each enzyme. UGT2B17 preferentially formed (R)-NNAL-O-Gluc, and UGT2B7 preferentially formed (S)-NNAL-O-Gluc. When human liver microsomes (HLM) were independently incubated with each NNAL enantiomer, the ratio of (R)-NNAL-O-Gluc to (S)-NNAL-O-Gluc formation in HLM from subjects exhibiting the homozygous deletion UGT2B17 (*2/*2) genotype was significantly lower (p = 0.012) than that with HLM from wild-type (*1/*1) subjects. There was a significant trend (p = 0.015) toward a decreased (R)-NNAL-O-Gluc/(S)-NNAL-O-Gluc ratio as the copy number of the UGT2B17*2 deletion allele increased. These data demonstrate that variations in the expression or activity of specific UGTs may affect the clearance of specific NNAL enantiomers known to induce tobacco-related cancers.

Simultaneous determination of NNK and its metabolites in mouse tissue for evaluating the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the metabolism of NNK in mouse liver and lung

A hydrophilic-interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS-MS) method was developed for the determination of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and its metabolites in mouse liver and lung. The limits of detection of all analytes were in the range 0.017-0.057 ng mL(-1), and recovery ranged from 88.4-119.8 % with intra and inter-day precision in the range 0.89-6.03 % and 1.01-6.97 %, respectively. This simple and accurate method was used to evaluate the effect of chronic alcohol consumption on NNK bioactivation in mouse tissue. Time-course curves for NNK and its metabolites were generated, and the areas under the curves (AUCs) were compared. It was found that target tissues of NNK carcinogenesis in C57BL/6 mice contained high levels of α-hydroxylation metabolites of NNK and its carbonyl reduction metabolite, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL). The most pronounced effect of alcohol was to enhance α-hydroxylation of NNK in mouse lung and liver, which suggests that chronic alcohol consumption may increase the risk of carcinogenicity associated with NNK in mice.

Cigarettes with different nicotine levels affect sensory perception and levels of biomarkers of exposure in adult smokers

INTRODUCTION

Few clinical studies involving cigarettes have provided a comprehensive picture of smoke exposure, test article characterization, and insights into sensory properties combined. The purpose of these pilot studies was to determine whether cigarettes with different levels of nicotine but similar tar levels would affect sensory experience or smoking behavior so as to significantly alter levels of selected biomarkers of exposure (BOE).

METHODS

In 2 confined, double-blind studies, 120 adult smokers switched from Marlboro Gold cigarettes at baseline to either 1 of 2 lower nicotine cigarettes or 1 of 2 higher nicotine cigarettes and then to the other cigarette after 5 days. Urinary excretion of exposure biomarkers (nicotine equivalents [NE], total and free 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol [NNAL], 1-hydroxypyrene, and 3-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid) as well as carboxyhemoglobin and plasma cotinine were measured at baseline, Day 5, and Day 10. Daily cigarette consumption was monitored and sensory characteristics were rated for each cigarette.

RESULTS

With higher nicotine yield, urine NE, urine total NNAL, and plasma cotinine increased while nonnicotine BOE decreased without changes in cigarette consumption. In contrast, with lower nicotine yield, urine NE, urine total NNAL, and plasma cotinine dropped while nonnicotine BOE and cigarettes per day increased. Higher nicotine cigarettes were rated harsher and stronger than at baseline while lower nicotine cigarettes were less strong. All 4 test cigarettes were highly disliked.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate that abrupt increases or decreases in nicotine and the resulting sensory changes impact BOE through changes in intensity or frequency of smoking.

Spice up your life: adipose tissue and inflammation

Cells of the immune system are now recognized in the adipose tissue which, in obesity, produces proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Several herbs and spices have been in use since ancient times which possess anti-inflammatory properties. In this perspective, I discuss and propose the usage of these culinary delights for the benefit of human health.

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) metabolism-related enzymes gene polymorphisms, NNK metabolites levels and urothelial carcinoma

Gene polymorphisms of the 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) metabolism-related enzymes-cytochrome P450 (CYP) monooxygenase 2A13 (CYP2A13) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT)-2B7 could contribute to the levels of NNK-related metabolites in urine, thereby increasing the susceptibility to urothelial carcinoma (UC). Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the roles of two gene polymorphisms (CYP2A13 and UGT2B7) of NNK metabolism-related enzymes in the carcinogenesis of UC in Taiwan. A hospital-based pilot case-control study was conducted. There were 121 UC cases and 121 age- and sex-matched healthy participants recruited from March 2007 to April 2009. Urine samples were analyzed for NNK-related metabolites using the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Genotyping was conducted using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. ANCOVA and multivariate logistic regression were applied for data analyses. In healthy controls, former smokers had significantly higher total NNAL and higher NNAL-Gluc than never smokers or current smokers. Subjects carrying the UGT2B7 268 His/Tyr or Tyr/Tyr genotype had significantly lower total NNAL than those carrying His/His genotype. However, no association was seen between gene polymorphisms of CYP2A13 and UGT2B7 and UC risk after adjustment for age and sex. Significant dose -response associations between total NNAL, free NNAL, the ratios of free NNAL/total NNAL and NNAL-Gluc/total NNAL and UC risk were observed. In the future, large-scale studies will be required to verify the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms of NNK metabolism-related enzymes and UC risk.

A Comprehensive Review of the Carcinogenic and Anticarcinogenic Potential of Capsaicin

Human exposure to capsaicin, the most abundant pungent chili pepper component, is ubiquitous. Evaluation of capsaicin’s carcinogenic potential has produced variable results in in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity and carcinogenicity assays. The capsaicin tested in older studies was often from pepper plant extracts and included other capsaicinoids and diverse impurities. Recent studies utilizing high-purity capsaicin and standardized protocols provide evidence that the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of capsaicin is quite low and that the purity of capsaicin is important. Several small epidemiological studies suggest a link between capsaicin consumption and stomach or gall bladder cancer, but contamination of capsaicin-containing foods with known carcinogens renders their interpretation problematic. The postulated ability of capsaicin metabolites to damage DNA and promote carcinogenesis remains unsupported. Anticancer activities of capsaicin have been widely reported, as it inhibits the activity of carcinogens and induces apoptosis in numerous cancer cell lines in vitro and explanted into rodents. Diverse mechanisms have been postulated for capsaicin’s anticancer properties. One hypothesis is that inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes—particularly CYP2E1—retards carcinogen activation but is contradicted by the low potency of capsaicin for CYP inhibition. The potential for dietary capsaicin to act as a chemopreventative is now widely postulated.

Use of hazard indices for a theoretical evaluation of cigarette smoke composition

The chemical composition of cigarette mainstream smoke (MS) has been quantitatively analyzed in multiple studies, often with the objective to toxicologically evaluate and compare various types of MS. Increases and decreases in yields of constituents between MS types can only be consolidated if these yields are compared on the basis of toxicological properties of the individual constituents. For the risk assessment of various complex mixtures including MS, a hazard index (HI) approach has been used that requires weighing of the exposure to individual MS constituents by cancer and noncancer potency values. The objective of the current study is to review the past uses of the HI concept for MS and smokeless tobacco and discuss strengths and limitations of using this concept. Published information as well as information made available on the Web was used. The HI concept has been applied to MS for determining and comparing theoretical lifetime risks, for consumer communication, for the prioritization of constituents for reduction, for ingredient assessment, and for the selection of constituents for regulation. The limitations of this approach are associated with the limited number of MS constituents with available yield data, the gaps and uncertainties in available potency values, the application to relatively high exposure concentrations, and the default assumption of additivity. The derived theoretical noncancer index is dominated by acrolein to an extent that there seems to be not much advantage in using the HI concept for noncancer assessments. The derived theoretical cancer index is dominated by genotoxic carcinogens of the MS vapor phase and may thus complement currently used toxicological assays in a tiered evaluation approach. As is the case for every other assay and interpretation model, the HI concept needs to be applied with its limitations and weaknesses in mind. Its best application is for comparative purposes. It should be kept in mind that the HI concept is a theoretical concept and does not provide actual risk information.

Metabolic effects of CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced gene mutation--a mammalian cell-based mutagenesis approach

Both cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) and cytochrome P450 2A13 (CYP2A13) are involved in metabolic activation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines and may play important roles in cigarette smoking-induced lung cancer. Unlike CYP2A6, effects of CYP2A13 on the tobacco-specific nitrosamine-induced mutagenesis in lung cells remain unclear. This study uses a supF mutagenesis assay to examine the relative effects of CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 on metabolic activation of a tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), and its resulting mutagenesis in human lung cells. A recombinant adenovirus-mediated CYP2A6/CYP2A13 expression system was established to specifically address the relative effects of these two CYPs. Mutagenesis results revealed that both CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 significantly enhanced the NNK-induced supF mutation and that the mutagenic effect of CYP2A13 was markedly higher than that of CYP2A6. Analysis of NNK metabolism indicated that ≥70% of NNK was detoxified to 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), either with or without CYP2A6/CYP2A13 expression. Both CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 significantly enhanced the α-hydroxylation of NNK; and the α-hydroxylation activity of CYP2A13 was significantly higher than that of CYP2A6. Analysis of the NNK-related DNA adduct formation indicated that, in the presence of CYP2A13, NNK treatments caused marked increases in O(6)-methylguanine (O(6)-MeG). The present results provide the first direct in vitro evidence demonstrating the predominant roles of CYP2A13 in NNK-induced mutagenesis, possibly via metabolic activation of NNK α-hydroxylation.

A review of the analysis of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in biological matrices

Tobacco use constitutes a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are an important class of biomarkers for tobacco carcinogen uptake. The current review focuses on the issues and developments in analysis of these compounds in human biological matrices. The two most widely used techniques for TSNA bioanalysis are gas chromatography coupled with thermal energy analysis and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, employing various sample preparation techniques. The review provides an overview of the tools and techniques currently available for TSNA bioanalysis that will help towards the ultimate goal of understanding the mechanisms of cancer caused by the use of tobacco products. A contrast and comparison of the important aspects of bioanalysis such as sample preparation, compound detection, and throughput is discussed for the thermal energy analysis- and mass spectrometry-based techniques. Complex sample extraction procedures, throughput, and the ability to validate are important issues of concern for the gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis-based methods. On the other hand, addressing ion suppression matrix effects remains an important challenge for hyphenated mass spectrometry-based methods. The review also provides an extensive summary of analytical procedures for various studies measuring tobacco-specific nitrosamines in different biological matrices.

Formation and distribution of NNK metabolites in an isolated perfused rat lung

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is a lung-specific tobacco carcinogen. Metabolism is critical to its elimination given its lipophilic nature. Although NNK can be metabolized through detoxification pathways that safely eliminate it from the body, it can also be bioactivated, resulting in the formation of potentially carcinogenic DNA adducts. The isolated perfused rat lung (IPRL) system was used to determine the effect of NNK perfusate concentration (0.1 and 1.2 microM) on the formation and distribution of metabolites, the level of individual DNA adducts, and total covalent binding in the lung. Coadministration of the chemopreventive agent phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC; 20 microM) was also examined to determine its effect on NNK metabolism. NNK was readily metabolized in the IPRL system. In the 0.1 muM perfusions approximately 55% of metabolites formed were through detoxification pathways, whereas roughly 30% were the result of bioactivation pathways. An increase in NNK concentration increased the percentage of unmetabolized NNK and decreased the apparent metabolic clearance in the lung, but the metabolite profiles remained similar between concentrations. The addition of PEITC reduced the formation of oxidative metabolites and increased 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) formation and the percentage of unmetabolized NNK. PEITC also significantly decreased the formation of DNA adducts in the lung tissue. The level of O(2)-[4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobut-1-yl]thymidine (O(2)-POB-dThd) and O(6)-[4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobut-1-yl]-2'-deoxyguanosine (O(6)-POB-dGuo) decreased by 70 to 75%, and that of O(6)-methylguanine (O(6)-methyl-Gua) and 7-[4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobut-1-yl]guanine (7-POB-Gua) decreased by 40 to 45%. Pyridylhydroxybutyl-DNA adducts were not detected in any of the treatment groups. Thus, the IPRL system is useful in determining pulmonary metabolism and DNA adduct formation separate from other metabolizing organs.