Isoprene Exposure in the United States Based on Urinary IPM3: NHANES 2015-2016
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Biren, Chloe; Zhang, Luyu; Bhandari, Deepak; Blount, Benjamin C.; De Jesus, Victor R.
Abstract
Isoprene is the 2-methyl analog of 1,3-butadiene and is a possible human carcinogen (IARC Group 2B). We assessed isoprene exposure in the general US population by measuring its urinary metabolite, N-acetyl-S-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-L-cysteine (IPM3) in participants (>= 3 year old) from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Spot urine samples were analyzed for IPM3 using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Exclusive tobacco smokers were distinguished from non-users using a combination of self-reporting and serum cotinine data. IPM3 was detected in 80.2% of samples. The median IPM3 level was higher for exclusive cigarette smokers (39.8 mu g/g creatinine) than for non-users (3.05 mu g/g creatinine). Sample weighted regression analysis, controlling for creatinine, sex, age, race, body mass index, and diet, showed that IPM3 was positively and significantly associated with serum cotinine. Smoking 1-10 cigarettes per day (CPD, 0.5 pack) was significantly associated with an IPM3 increase of 596% (p < .0001), and smoking >20 CPD (>1 pack) was significantly associated with an IPM3 increase of 1640% (p < .0001), controlling for confounding variables. Drinking beer/ale at median and 90th percentile levels (compared to zero consumption) was associated (p < 0.05) with 0 and 2.9% increase in IPM3 in non-users, respectively. We conclude that tobacco smoke is a major source of isoprene exposure in the US population. This study provides important public health biomonitoring data on isoprene exposure in the general US population.
DNA methylation signature of passive smoke exposure is less pronounced than active smoking: The Understanding Society study
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Authors: Hulls, Paige M.; de Vocht, Frank; Bao, Yanchun; Relton, Caroline L.; Martin, Richard M.; Richmond, Rebecca C.
Abstract
Introduction: The extent of the biological impact of passive smoke exposure is unclear. We sought to investigate the association between passive smoke exposure and DNA methylation, which could serve as a biomarker of health risk. Materials and methods: We derived passive smoke exposure from self-reported questionnaire data among smoking and non-smoking partners of participants enrolled in the UK Household Longitudinal Study 'Understanding Society' (n=769). We performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of passive smoke exposure with DNA methylation in peripheral blood measured using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC array. Results: No CpG sites surpassed the epigenome-wide significance threshold of p<5.97 x 10(-8) in relation to partner smoking, compared with 10 CpG sites identified in relation to own smoking. However, 10 CpG sites surpassed a less stringent threshold of p<1 x 10(-5) in a model of partner smoking adjusted for own smoking (model 1), 7 CpG sites in a model of partner smoking restricted to non-smokers (model 2) and 16 CpGs in a model restricted to regular smokers (model 3). In addition, there was evidence for an interaction between own smoking status and partners' smoking status on DNA methylation levels at the majority of CpG sites identified in models 2 and 3. There was a clear lack of enrichment for previously identified smoking signals in the EWAS of passive smoke exposure compared with the EWAS of own smoking. Conclusion: The DNA methylation signature associated with passive smoke exposure is much less pronounced than that of own smoking, with no positive findings for 'expected' signals. It is unlikely that changes to DNA methylation serve as an important mechanism underlying the health risks of passive smoke exposure.