Urinary acetonitrile concentrations correlate with recent smoking behaviour

Abstract

control group of non-smokers and four groups according to the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Urine samples were stored at 8 ∞C until acetonitrile was measured, within 24 h of collection, using proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS). Each measurement was repeated at least 10 times, and the mean used for statistical analysis. RESULTSThe mean (SD) acetonitrile level in the urine of 46 non-smokers was 3.74 (1.78) parts per billion volatile (ppbv). The concentration of acetonitrile increased with the number of cigarettes smoked daily, the highest concentration being in the subgroup of 13 very heavy smokers (>30 cigarettes/day) with means up to 28.04 (5.38) ppbv. CONCLUSIONPTR-MS is a quick, noninvasive online method for determining urinary acetonitrile levels, a marker for recent active and passive smoking behaviour, and thus for checking compliance. As smoking has been shown to affect the genesis of bladder cancer, further studies are required to determine the association of acetonitrile with bladder cancer.

Changes in urine headspace composition as an effect of strenuous walking

“…This study represents the first measurements of the headspace of urine samples using PTR-MS to investigate the effect of prolonged exercise. Pinggera et al ( 2005 ) have used PTR-MS for urinary measurements of acetonitrile in smokers, although they did not look for correlation with breath acetonitrile; they did find correlation between acetonitrile and smoking behavior. Using SIFT-MS, Wang et al ( 2008 ) claimed that acetone was equilibrated amongst the body fluids by comparing acetone in breath with urinary headspace measurements of healthy volunteers.…”

“…Changes in the concentration of specific VOCs can indicate particular diseases (Smolinska et al 2014 ) and changes in metabolic state, such as nitric oxide in airway inflammation (Barnes et al 2010 ) or acetone for diabetes (Storer et al 2011 ), and as such they are considered biomarkers (Mazzatenta et al 2013 ). Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) (Lindinger et al 1998 ; Blake et al 2009 ) is a popular, highly sensitive, on-line tool used to measure concentrations of excreted metabolites, particularly in breath (Herbig et al 2009 ; Schwarz et al 2009 ) but also urine (Pinggera et al 2005 ). The technique allows rapid analysis of VOCs, due to its online capability.…”

A Compendium of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Released By Human Cell Lines

“…Nitriles and aromatic VOCs are usually considered to be contaminants from exogenous sources, mainly cigarette smoke [42, 91], but also outdoor-air/environ-mental pollutant [92, 93] such as automobile emission [94]. Acetonitrile (CAS: 75-05-8) is predominant in the exhaled breath of smokers and practically absent in the breath of non-smokers; it is also readily detected in the urine of smokers [95, 96]. The combined know-ledge of the cellular source and underlying bio-chemical process will provide a rationale base for the use of VOCs in the detection of metabolic alterations, which are caused or associated with diseases.…”

Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Low-Molecular-Weight Volatile Compounds - Diagnostic Potential and Latest Applications

“…in heavy smokers (>30 c./day) levels of acetonitrile were found to be elevated up to seven times in comparison to non-smokers [109]. Spanel et al analyzed formaldehyde in the headspace of urine from bladder and prostate cancer patients using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry.…”