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2-Hydroxyethylation of haemoglobin in man
B J Passingham1, P B Farmer, E Bailey
1MRC Toxicology Unit, Medical Research Council Laboratories, Carshalton, Surrey, UK.
IARC Scientific Publications
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to detect N-(2-hydroxyethyl)valine (HOEtVal), a marker of exposure to ethylene oxide, in smokers. This study investigated the relationship between HOEtVal levels, smoking habits, and cotinine.
Area of Science:
- Biomarkers of Exposure
- Chemical Carcinogenesis
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Ethylene oxide exposure leads to the formation of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)valine (HOEtVal) adducts in human haemoglobin.
- Monitoring these adducts can indicate exposure to 2-hydroxyethylating agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a novel gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for HOEtVal detection.
- To investigate the dose-response relationship between HOEtVal, smoking frequency, and cotinine levels in smokers.
Main Methods:
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to quantify HOEtVal in haemoglobin.
- Plasma cotinine levels were measured as a biomarker of smoking.
- HOEtVal levels were correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked daily.
Main Results:
- The novel GC-MS method successfully detected HOEtVal in smokers and control subjects.
- A positive correlation was observed between HOEtVal levels and the number of cigarettes smoked per day.
- HOEtVal levels also showed a correlation with plasma cotinine concentrations.
Conclusions:
- The developed GC-MS method is effective for monitoring HOEtVal adducts, serving as a biomarker for ethylene oxide exposure in relation to smoking.
- Findings suggest a quantifiable relationship between smoking intensity and the formation of HOEtVal adducts in haemoglobin.