Arecoline in buccal cells reflects Areca nut dose

We found robust relationships between a chewer'sAreca nut (AN) exposure, expressed as their average AN load, and their buccal cell arecoline levels. Therefore, we suggest buccal cell arecoline to be a reliable biomarker that reflects the extent of AN chewing. Our data are useful for future AN cessation studies and the determination of AN chewing status from studies with limited self-reported data. AbstractAreca nut (AN) is a carcinogen; its chewing cessation is, therefore, of worldwide interest. However, cessation biomarkers are lacking. We sought to establish arecoline in chewers' buccal cells (BCs) as a biomarker for AN dose. Self-reported AN doses, expressed as the average AN load ( “AANL”), the product of AN amount, chewing time, and chewing frequency, were correlated by regression analysis with chewers' BC arecoline, measured by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. We then determined whether associations differed between Class 1 chewers (who consume AN alone or with s laked lime, leaf, and/or spices) and Class 2 chewers (who consume any combination of the aforementioned ingredients plus tobacco). Among the 103 chewers, 28 Class 1 and 39 Class 2 chewers had detectable arecoline levels, which were used for analyses. A linear regression of cube-root transformed AANL on equally transformed BC arecoline levels provided the best model fit; resulting slopes and corresponding correlation coefficients were 0.86 and 0.40 (p <  0.01) for all; 1.09 and 0.51 (p < ...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research