A transport model for nicotine in the tracheobronchial and pulmonary region of the lung

Use of quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE) for the assessment of non-combustible next-generation product aerosols

With the use of in vitro new approach methodologies (NAMs) for the assessment of non-combustible next-generation nicotine delivery products, new extrapolation methods will also be required to interpret and contextualize the physiological relevance of these results. Quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE) can translate in vitro concentrations into in-life exposures with physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling and provide estimates of the likelihood of harmful effects from expected exposures. A major challenge for evaluating inhalation toxicology is an accurate assessment of the delivered dose to the surface of the cells and the internalized dose. To estimate this, we ran the multiple-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model to characterize particle deposition in the respiratory tract and developed a PBPK model for nicotine that was validated with human clinical trial data for cigarettes. Finally, we estimated a Human Equivalent Concentration (HEC) and predicted plasma concentrations based on the minimum effective concentration (MEC) derived after acute exposure of BEAS-2B cells to cigarette smoke (1R6F), or heated tobacco product (HTP) aerosol at the air liquid interface (ALI). The MPPD-PBPK model predicted the in vivo data from clinical studies within a factor of two, indicating good agreement as noted by WHO International Programme on Chemical Safety (2010) guidance. We then used QIVIVE to derive the exposure concentration (HEC) that matched the estimated in vitro deposition point of departure (POD) (MEC cigarette = 0.38 puffs or 11.6 µg nicotine, HTP = 22.9 puffs or 125.6 µg nicotine) and subsequently derived the equivalent human plasma concentrations. Results indicate that for the 1R6F cigarette, inhaling 1/6th of a stick would be required to induce the same effects observed in vitro, in vivo. Whereas, for HTP it would be necessary to consume 3 sticks simultaneously to induce in vivo the effects observed in vitro. This data further demonstrates the reduced physiological potency potential of HTP aerosol compared to cigarette smoke. The QIVIVE approach demonstrates great promise in assisting human health risk assessments, however, further optimization and standardization are required for the substantiation of a meaningful contribution to tobacco harm reduction by alternative nicotine delivery products.

NAM-based Prediction of Point-of-contact Toxicity in the Lung: A Case Example With 1,3-dichloropropene

Time, cost, ethical, and regulatory considerations surrounding in vivo testing methods render them insufficient to meet existing and future chemical safety testing demands. There is a need for the development of in vitro and in silico alternatives to replace traditional in vivo methods for inhalation toxicity assessment. Exposures of differentiated airway epithelial cultures to gases or aerosols at the air-liquid interface (ALI) can assess tissue responses and in vitro to in vivo extrapolation can align in vitro exposure levels with in-life exposures expected to give similar tissue exposures. Because the airway epithelium varies along its length, with various regions composed of different cell types, we have introduced a known toxic vapor to five human-derived, differentiated, in vitro airway epithelial cell culture models-MucilAir of nasal, tracheal, or bronchial origin, SmallAir, and EpiAlveolar-representing five regions of the airway epithelium-nasal, tracheal, bronchial, bronchiolar, and alveolar. We have monitored toxicity in these cultures 24hours after acute exposure using an assay for transepithelial conductance (for epithelial barrier integrity) and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay (for cytotoxicity). Our vapor of choice in these experiments was 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-DCP). Finally, we have developed an airway dosimetry model for 1,3-DCP vapor to predict in vivo external exposure scenarios that would produce toxic local tissue concentrations as determined by in vitro experiments. Measured in vitro points of departure (PoDs) for all tested cell culture models were similar. Calculated rat equivalent inhaled concentrations varied by model according to position of the modeled tissue within the airway, with nasal respiratory tissue being the most proximal and most sensitive tissue, and alveolar epithelium being the most distal and least sensitive tissue. These predictions are qualitatively in accordance with empirically determined in vivo PoDs. The predicted PoD concentrations were close to, but slightly higher than, PoDs determined by in vivo subchronic studies.

Emerging investigator series: the role of chemical properties in human exposure to environmental chemicals

One of the ultimate goals of environmental exposure science is to mechanistically understand how chemical properties and human behavior interactively determine human exposure to the wide spectrum of chemicals present in the environment. This comprehensive review assembles state-of-the-art knowledge of the role of partitioning, dissociation, mass transfer, and reactive properties in human contact with and absorption of organic chemicals via oral, dermal, and respiratory routes. Existing studies have revealed that chemicals with different properties vary greatly in mass distribution and occurrence among multiple exposure media, resulting in distinct patterns of human intake from the environment. On the other hand, these chemicals encounter different levels of resistance in the passage of intestinal, dermal, and pulmonary absorption barriers and demonstrate different levels of bioavailability, due to the selectivity of biochemical, anatomical and physiological structures of these absorption barriers. Moving forward, the research community needs to gain more in-depth mechanistic insights into the complex processes in human exposure, advance the technique to better characterize and predict chemical properties, generate and leverage experimental data for a more diverse range of chemicals, and describe better the interactions between chemical properties and human behavior.

Modeling the bioaccessibility of inhaled semivolatile organic compounds in the human respiratory tract

The bioaccessibility of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) via inhalation has rarely been studied, as indicated by the literature. There is no model to calculate the SVOC bioaccessibility following inhalation, and measurement data have focused on only a few polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the particle phase. The present work developed a mechanistic model to address the mass transfer of inhaled SVOCs among the gas, particle and mucus phases in the human respiratory tract. The model considers (1) the SVOC partitioning between the gas and particle phases as well as between the gas and mucus phases and (2) the deposition of gas- and particle-phase SVOCs in the mucus of the respiratory tract. Based on the model, the inhalation bioaccessibility for 72 SVOCs was calculated. The SVOCs were measured in French dwellings at the nationwide scale, and their median concentrations in both the gas and particle phases were used for the bioaccessibility calculations. The results show that the inhalation bioaccessibility varies considerably from one compound to another, e.g., between 0.62 and 1.00 for phthalates, between 0.71 and 0.79 for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), between 0.48 and 0.56 for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), between 0.48 and 1.00 for different chemical families of pesticides and between 0.48 and 0.90 for PAHs.

Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of environmental semi-volatile organic compounds via inhalation: A review of methods and models

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) present in indoor environments are known to cause adverse health effects through multiple routes of exposure. To assess the aggregate exposure, the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of SVOCs need to be determined. In this review, we discussed measurements of the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of SVOCs after inhalation. Published literature related to this issue is available for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and a few polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo[a]pyrene and phenanthrene. Then, we reviewed common modeling approaches for the characterization of the gas- and particle-phase partitioning of SVOCs during inhalation. The models are based on mass transfer mechanisms as well as the structure of the respiratory system, using common computational techniques, such as computational fluid dynamics. However, the existing models are restricted to special conditions and cannot predict SVOC bioaccessibility and bioavailability in the whole respiratory system. The present review notes two main challenges for the estimation of SVOC bioaccessibility and bioavailability via inhalation in humans. First, in vitro and in vivo methods need to be developed and validated for a wide range of SVOCs. The in vitro methods should be validated with in vivo tests to evaluate human exposures to SVOCs in airborne particles. Second, modeling approaches for SVOCs need to consider the whole respiratory system. Alterations of the respiratory cycle period and human biological variability may be considered in future studies.

Exposure to SVOCs from Inhaled Particles: Impact of Desorption

Inhaled semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are simultaneously present in gas and particle phases. Particles desorb a fraction of their SVOCs moving through the human respiratory tract (RT). Quantifying such desorption is challenging but important since gas- and particle-phase SVOCs deposit in different locations in the RT, encountering different cell populations with varying health consequences. This paper presents a mass transfer model to quantify this desorption process in the head, tracheobronchial, and alveolar regions of the RT. The desorption of SVOCs from inhaled particles can be gauged using the ratio of particle residence time to the time required to achieve particle/gas equilibrium. Results indicate that the larger this ratio is, the more likely particles desorb the SVOCs they carry. For particles smaller than 0.5 μm diameter and SVOCs with a particle/gas partition coefficient (unitless) of 10¹⁰, accounting for desorption reduces the estimated particle-phase SVOC concentrations in the alveolar region by more than 35%; the reduction is almost 700% for 0.05 μm diameter particles. In hypothetical scenarios representing common indoor and outdoor situations, neglecting desorption significantly overestimates the concentration of ultrafine particle associated SVOCs in the alveolar region. This model is a preliminary step toward more nuanced estimates of exposure to inhaled SVOCs.

Determination of Nicotine Content and Delivery in Disposable Electronic Cigarettes Available in the United States by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

INTRODUCTION

Electronic cigarettes (E-Cigs) are popular alternatives to conventional tobacco cigarettes. Disposable E-Cigs are single-use devices that emit aerosols from a nicotine-containing solution (e-liquid) by activating a heating coil during puffing. However, due to lack of regulations and standards, it is unclear how product claims are aligning with actual content and performance. Some analytical methods for characterizing E-Cigs are still in an exploratory phase.

METHODS

Five products of disposable E-Cigs (purchased March-April, 2014 from a local smoke shop and an on-line US distributor) were studied for nicotine content, number of puffs obtained before depletion, portion of nicotine delivered via aerosolization, and e-liquid pH. Protocols were developed to consistently extract e-liquid from puffed and unpuffed E-Cigs. An in-house mechanical puffing machine was used to consistently puff E-Cig aerosols onto filter pads. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed that produced sensitive and repeatable nicotine determinations.

RESULTS

Under our experimental parameters, results showed a disparity between nicotine content and number of puffs achieved relative to what was claimed on product packaging. The portion of nicotine delivered to filter pads was often less than half that which was available, indicating much of the nicotine may be left in the E-Cig upon depletion.

CONCLUSIONS

Analyses of unpuffed E-Cigs by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry indicate the nicotine content of these products can be considerably different from manufacture's labeling. Furthermore, a large portion of the nicotine in E-Cigs may not be transferred to the user, and that which is transferred, may often be in the less bioavailable form.

In vitro particle size distributions in electronic and conventional cigarette aerosols suggest comparable deposition patterns

INTRODUCTION

Electronic cigarette users ("vapers") inhale aerosols of water, nicotine, and propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG). Aerosol particle sizes should affect deposition patterns in vapers and bystanders.

METHODS

Aerosols were generated by a smoking machine and an electronic cigarette filled with 16mg/ml nicotine in aqueous PG or VG solution. A scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) counted particles of 10-1,000 nm diameters. A single puff experiment counted particles immediately and after aging 10 and 40 s. A steady-state experiment counted particles emitted from a collection chamber, untreated and after desiccation or organic vapor removal. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) human respiratory tract model was used to estimate deposition. Results were compared to similar data from reference cigarettes.

RESULTS

Puffs generated peak particle counts at (VG) 180 nm and (PG) 120 nm. Steady-state peaks occurred around 400 nm. Organic vapor removal eliminated small particles and reduced the size and number of large particles. Desiccation reduced the total volume of particles by 70% (VG, small PG) to 88% (large PG). The ICRP model predicted 7%-18% alveolar delivery; 9%-19% venous delivery, mostly in the head; and 73%-80% losses by exhalation. Reference cigarettes generated more particles initially, but were otherwise similar; however, in vivo smoke particle deposition is higher than the model predicts.

CONCLUSIONS

Nicotine delivery may depend on vaping technique, particle evolution, and cloud effects. Predicted 10% arterial and 15% venous delivery may describe bystander exposure better than vapers exposure.