Analysis of 4-aminobiphenyl hemoglobin adducts in smokers and nonsmokers by pseudo capillary on-column gas chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry

J Anal Toxicol. 2010 Jul-Aug;34(6):304-11. doi: 10.1093/jat/34.6.304.

Abstract

We describe here a hemoglobin adduct assay applied to an analysis of samples from smokers and nonsmokers. The assay includes a sensitive method for quantification of orthotoluidine 2-aminonaphthylene, and 3- and 4-aminobiphenyl hemoglobin adducts in human blood using capillary gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Basic hydrolysis and derivatization with pentafluoropropionic acid anhydride are followed by programmable temperature vaporization and pseudo on-column capillary gas chromatography with positive electron ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Standard deviation of calibration curves (n = 6) shows that the limits of detection for o-toluidine, 2-aminonaphthylene, and 3- and 4-aminobiphenyl were 0.23, 0.39, 0.30, and 0.24 pg total on-column, respectively. The effective working limit of detection is estimated at approximately 5.22 pg/g Hb and 18.73 pg/g Hb for 4-aminobiphenyl and 2-aminonaphthylene, respectively. In a group that was predominately male and African-American, the level of 4-aminobiphenyl Hb adducts was significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers. Among 93 nonsmokers with serum cotinine concentrations less than 10 ng/mL, the geometric mean (95% CI) concentration of 4-aminobiphenyl was 29.9 pg/g hemoglobin (Hb; 29.4 to 30.4). Conversely, in 100 smokers the 4-aminobiphenyl adducts geometric mean concentration was significantly greater at 73.0 pg/g Hb (72.6 to 73.4). 4-Aminobiphenyl hemoglobin adduct and serum cotinine concentrations were correlated (r = 0.496; p < 0.0001; n = 193). In 15% of smokers, 3-aminobiphenyl was detected at low concentration. Adduct levels of 2-aminonaphthylene and ortho-toluidine were not significantly different between the smoker and nonsmoker participants. Our study shows that 4-aminobiphenyl Hb adducts remain the preferred biomarker for identifying people exposed to aromatic amines from tobacco smoke.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aminobiphenyl Compounds / blood*
  • Aminobiphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Biological Assay
  • Carcinogens / chemistry
  • Carcinogens / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, Gas / methods*
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins / chemistry
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Inhalation Exposure / analysis
  • Male
  • Smoking / blood*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Substances

  • Aminobiphenyl Compounds
  • Carcinogens
  • Hemoglobins
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution
  • 4-biphenylamine