Effects of menthol on tobacco smoke exposure, nicotine dependence, and NNAL glucuronidation.

Abstract

Menthol is a controversial cigarette additive because its physiologic or pharmacologic effects may possibly increase the risk for cancer and its targeted market is the Black community. In a community-based cross-sectional study on 525 Black and White volunteers, we compared levels of urinary and plasma cotinine, plasma thiocyanate, urinary 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), and its detoxified form (NNAL-Gluc) between menthol and nonmenthol smokers. In regression models that adjusted for daily cigarette intake, no significant differences were observed in the concentration of these biomarkers by menthol status in both races. There was no significant association between high Fagerstrom nicotine dependence scores and the use of menthol cigarettes (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-2.0), but an increased risk was observed with smoking a cigarette soon (<or=30 minutes) after waking (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-3.8). The ratio of NNAL-Gluc to NNAL, a possible indicator of lung cancer risk, was significantly lower in menthol versus nonmenthol smokers. The NNAL-Gluc/NNAL ratio was 34% lower in Whites (P < 0.01) and 22% lower in Blacks. In subsequent human liver microsome studies, menthol inhibited the rate of NNAL-O-glucuronidation and NNAL-N-glucuronidation. Collectively, these results show that menthol does not affect biological exposure to tobacco smoke constituents but indicates that menthol might inhibit the detoxification of the potent lung carcinogen NNAL.

• Authors: Joshua E Muscat, Gang Chen, Ashley Knipe, Steven D Stellman, Philip Lazarus, John P Richie Jr
• Journal: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev) Vol. 18 Issue 1 Pg. 35-41 (Jan 2009) ISSN: 1055-9965 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19124478 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• 4-((methylnitrosoamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)but-1-yl)beta-omega-glucosiduronic acid
• Biomarkers
• Glucuronates
• Nitrosamines
• Thiocyanates
• Tobacco Smoke Pollution
• Menthol
• 4-(methylnitrosoamino)-4-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol
• Cotinine

Topics

• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Black People
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Cotinine (metabolism)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Glucuronates (urine)
• Humans
• Male
• Menthol (metabolism, toxicity)
• Nitrosamines (urine)
• Regression Analysis
• Thiocyanates (blood)
• Tobacco Smoke Pollution
• Tobacco Use Disorder (metabolism)
• White People