Application of CE–MS to A Metabonomics Study of Human Urine from Cigarette Smokers and Non-Smokers

Abstract

Background: Novel biomarkers of exposure and early adverse effects are needed for comparative studies of combustible and non-combustible tobacco products for regulatory authority evaluation. Metabolic biomarkers reflect both gene and environmental effects. Results: CE–MS has been applied to human urine samples from non-smokers and smokers of cigarettes at two tar levels. Validated chemometric models were able to separate smokers from non-smokers, with discrimination mainly based on the presence of nicotine metabolites. With these removed, it still proved possible to discriminate smokers from non-smokers with models now based on endogenous metabolites. The biochemical relevance of these biomarkers is discussed. Conclusion: This proof-of-principle metabonomics study illustrates the potential of CE–MS to discover novel biomarkers in urine from tobacco users.

Supplementary data

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Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was funded by BAT to Metabometrix Ltd. as a commercial contract. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate insti­tutional review board approval or have followed the princi­ples outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investi­gations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Acknowledgments

We thank Jim Shepperd, Mike McEwan and Alison Eldridge for their assistance with the clinical samples collection and biobanking.