Evaluation of non-invasive biomarkers for carcinogenic exposure to cigarette smoke
Abstract
Purpose. To investigate urinary 1-hydroxypyrene glucuronide (1-OHPG) and benzo (a) pyrene 7,10/8,-tetrol (BaPT) levels as non-invasive biomarkers for exposure to cigarette smoke.;Methods. Volunteers, smokers ({dollar}\ge{dollar}20 cigarettes/day) and non-smokers (5 females + 6 males in each group), provided multiple urine samples. Urine samples from psoriasis patients undergoing coal tar therapy were also obtained. Urinary BaPT and 1-OHPG levels were assayed.;Results. While BaPT levels ranged from undetectable to 11 pmol/10ml in psoriasis patients (mean = 4 {dollar}\pm{dollar} 3.4 pmol/10ml), most samples from smokers or non-smokers had undetectable levels (limit of detection = 25 fmol/10ml urine). Urinary 1-OHPG levels were significantly higher among smokers (mean log 1-OHPG = 1.72 {dollar}\pm{dollar} 0.93) than among nonsmokers (mean log 1-OHPG = 0.80 {dollar}\pm{dollar} 0.92) (P {dollar}<{dollar} 0.05). Conclusion. Higher assay sensitivity is required to monitor urinary levels of BaPT in smokers. 1-OHPG levels in urine may prove useful in monitoring exposure to carcinogenic PAH from tobacco smoke.