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Nicotine metabolism in pregnant smokers measured by segmental hair analysis
Author(s) -
Blanchette P.,
Klein J.,
Christodouleas J.,
Kramer M.,
Koren G.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.145
Subject(s) - cotinine , nicotine , pregnancy , medicine , urine , physiology , metabolite , population , metabolism , endocrinology , obstetrics , biology , genetics , environmental health
Purpose This study uses segmental hair analysis to investigate nicotine metabolism during pregnancy. Dempsey et al. (2002) reported increased metabolism in a group of ten pregnant smokers. Nicotine metabolism needs to be characterized further throughout pregnancy and on a population‐based level. Methods At the time of delivery, a hair sample and smoking history were collected from pregnant smokers in Montreal and Boston. The hair is sectioned to represent the three trimesters of pregnancy; hair grows 1cm/month. The amount of nicotine and its major metabolite cotinine was measured by radioimmunoassay. The ratio of nicotine to cotinine is used to reflect nicotine metabolism. Results Results from nineteen women who smoked consistently (average 12 cigarettes daily) throughout pregnancy. Nicotine levels in the first, second and third trimester were 15.2 + 3.4, 12.3 ± 2.0, 11.3 + 1.7 (ng/mg of hair + SEM). Cotinine levels were: 0.86 + 0.15, 0.88 +0.16 and 1.16 + 0.22 (ng/mg of hair + SEM) respectively. The nicotine/cotinine ratio was (1st trimester – 18.7 + 2.7, 2nd trimester – 18.7 + 3.6, and 3rd trimester – 12.9 + 2.1) Conclusion These results support an increase in nicotine metabolism during late pregnancy. Further investigation is required to determine whether these changes reflect those in blood and urine. Increased nicotine metabolism may impact a pregnant woman's ability to quit smoking. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75 , P38–P38; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.145