Rapid automated blood sampling system for pharmacokinetics studies of cigarette smoking.
BACKGROUND
We developed an automated sampling system to allow multiple, discrete blood samples from a human participant to be collected rapidly and immediately following cigarette smoke exposure. We reported the details of the sampling system along with the results of a pilot study for evaluation of the system.


METHODS
Components of the system include silastic tubing, solenoid pinch valves, a peristaltic pump, and a fraction collector. This system incorporates a smoking machine that allows precise delivery of cigarette smoke through a mouthpiece and intricate timing to correlate blood samples with smoke inhalation. All components are controlled via integration from a user interface and are fully customizable. We performed several tests to evaluate the equipment, including tubing dead volume, leakage tests, and sample reproducibility. We also performed a pilot study with 6 adult smokers, who received 6 controlled puffs of a research test cigarette. Each inhalation was followed by radial arterial blood collection (1 sample per second tapered to 1 sample every 4 s) for 1 min. Samples were evaluated for nicotine via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric methods.


RESULTS
Sampling times and volumes were sufficient for nicotine analysis. No adverse effects were seen in the pilot study, and a 30-min washout period was deemed appropriate between puffs. A significant rise in plasma nicotine levels above baseline after inhalation of smoke was consistently detected in all participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The unique advantage of this system is to allow rapid blood sampling after a puff of cigarette smoke, with the benefits of reproducibility, reduction in labor intensity, and high temporal resolution.
Research Development & Engineering, Altria Client Services, 601 East Jackson Street, Richmond, VA 23219, USA. Diana.L.McKinney@altria.com
Diana L
DL
McKinney
Bruce D
BD
Davies
Maria
M
Gogova
William M
WM
Adams
Wayne
W
Lewis
Chad
C
Powell
Sunil S
SS
Iyer
William R
WR
Garnett
H Thomas
HT
Karnes
Gerd
G
Kobal
William H
WH
Barr
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D009538:Nicotine