PARENT SESSION
1D Bioassays for specific hazards (estrogenic effects, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, ...)
9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, 08 May 2001

(T/EH037) Tobacco-specific N-nitrosoamines in smokers' blood, urine and saliva.

Duca, Gheorghe¹, Tabarna, Gheorghe², Gonta, Maria¹, Stepanov, Irina¹, ^{1 2}

ABSTRACT- It has been estimated that cigarette smoking is responsible for a significant portion of human cancers at various sites, in particular the lung, oral cavity and esophagus. Carcinigenic tobacco-specific N-nitrosoamines (TSNA) are present in tobacco products and are believed to play a significant role in human cancers associated with tobacco use. Different TSNA are formed from nicotine and other tobacco alkaloids during fermentation of tobacco.The dose of TSNA experienced by a tobacco user could be estimated from the levels of these compounds in the tobacco products. The quantity of Nitrosoamines has been determined in different Moldavian cigarettes. The study has shown that Moldavian cigarettes contain N-nitrosonornicotine in amounts about 200-600 ng. To quantify exposure to tobacco carcinogens urinary and blood TSNA levels evaluation could be used too. Quantitation of TSNA in blood, saliva and urine of active smokers should greatly facilitate our understanding of its role in tobacco-related cancer. We quantified saliva, urinary and blood levels of tobacco-specific carcinogens in smokers who are ill with cancer. We collected saliva, urine and blood and analyzed for N-nitrosonornicotine and others N-nitrosoamines. One hundred people completed the study. They were divided in four groups, as smokers with cancer of oral cavity, smokers with cancer of esophagus, smokers with lung cancer, smokers with stomach cancer. Twenty-four-h urine samples were collected in 3 liter amber specimen containers. The samples were stored at room temperature during collection, and then frozen until analysis. Saliva was collected twice a day, in the morning (before smoking) and afternoon (after smoking). The prepared samples were analyzed by GC with GC/MS confirmation. The data has demonstrated that NNN is present in saliva, urine and blood of active smokers. Different volatile N-nitroso compounds and NNN have been detected in the saliva of active smokers. The quantities of NNN and others N-nitrosoamines in saliva and urine of smokers depend on the type of cigarettes and the amounts detected are in the expected range based on the levels of NNN in cigarette smoke.

Key words: tobacco, cancer , nitrosoamines, quantitation