title: Cigarettes with different nicotine levels affect sensory perception and levels of biomarkers of exposure in adult smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few clinical studies involving cigarettes have provided a comprehensive picture of smoke exposure, test article characterization, and insights into sensory properties combined. The purpose of these pilot studies was to determine whether cigarettes with different levels of nicotine but similar tar levels would affect sensory experience or smoking behavior so as to significantly alter levels of selected biomarkers of exposure (BOE).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2 confined, double-blind studies, 120 adult smokers switched from Marlboro Gold cigarettes at baseline to either 1 of 2 lower nicotine cigarettes or 1 of 2 higher nicotine cigarettes and then to the other cigarette after 5 days. Urinary excretion of exposure biomarkers (nicotine equivalents [NE], total and free 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol [NNAL], 1-hydroxypyrene, and 3-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid) as well as carboxyhemoglobin and plasma cotinine were measured at baseline, Day 5, and Day 10. Daily cigarette consumption was monitored and sensory characteristics were rated for each cigarette.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With higher nicotine yield, urine NE, urine total NNAL, and plasma cotinine increased while nonnicotine BOE decreased without changes in cigarette consumption. In contrast, with lower nicotine yield, urine NE, urine total NNAL, and plasma cotinine dropped while nonnicotine BOE and cigarettes per day increased. Higher nicotine cigarettes were rated harsher and stronger than at baseline while lower nicotine cigarettes were less strong. All 4 test cigarettes were highly disliked.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These studies demonstrate that abrupt increases or decreases in nicotine and the resulting sensory changes impact BOE through changes in intensity or frequency of smoking.
authors.affiliation: Altria Client Services, Richmond, VA.
authors.forename: Diana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: McKinney
authors.affiliation: Altria Client Services, Richmond, VA.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frost-Pineda
authors.affiliation: Altria Client Services, Richmond, VA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Oldham
authors.affiliation: Altria Client Services, Richmond, VA.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: Altria Client Services, Richmond, VA.
authors.forename: Jingzhu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Altria Client Services, Richmond, VA.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gogova
authors.affiliation: Altria Client Services, Richmond, VA sciencepublications@altria.com.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kobal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine*; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D003367:Cotinine / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000652:urine; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000652:urine; D011725:Pyridines / Q000652:urine; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*; D013638:Tars / Q000032:analysis; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009602:Nitrosamines; D011721:Pyrenes; D011725:Pyridines; D013638:Tars; D009538:Nicotine; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin; C099565:4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butan-1-ol; D003367:Cotinine; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene