Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are a group of hazardous chemicals produced during combustion of tobacco or high-temperature cooking of meats. 2-Amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC) is a major carcinogenic HAA that is found in tobacco smoke. Urinary AαC, used as a marker of AαC exposure, was measured in spot urine samples from adult participants of the 2013-2014 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; N=1,820). AαC was measured using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Exclusive tobacco smokers were distinguished from non-users of tobacco products through a combination of self-report and serum cotinine data. Among exclusive smokers, sample-weighted median urinary AαC was 36 times higher than non-users. Sample-weighted regression models showed that urinary AαC increased significantly with increasing serum cotinine among both exclusive tobacco users and non-users with second-hand smoke exposure. Among non-users, eating beef cooked at high temperature was associated with a significant increase in urinary AαC, while consuming vegetables was associated with decreased AαC. In addition, smoking one-half pack of cigarettes per day was associated with a significant increase of 23.7 pg AαC/mL (calculated at geometric mean of AαC, controlling for potential confounders). In comparison, increase in AαC attributable to consuming the 99th percentile of beef cooked at high temperature was 0.99 pg AαC/mL. In conclusion, both exclusive smokers and non-users of tobacco in the general U.S. population are exposed to AαC from tobacco smoke, with additional, lesser contributions from certain dietary constituents. AαC is an important biomarker that is associated with tobacco smoke exposure.

Evaluation of tobacco smoke and diet as sources of exposure to two heterocyclic aromatic amines for the U.S. population: NHANES 2013-2014

2019 Fall National Meeting

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