Relationship between cotinine and trans-3' -hydroxycotinine glucuronidation and the nicotine metabolite ratio in Caucasian smokers

Context: Nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) is linked with smoking behaviour and quitting, but little is known about the importance of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase metabolism phenotype on NMR.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between NMR and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase phenotype in a Caucasian population.

Methods: Urine samples from 260 smokers were measured by UPLC-MS/MS for cotinine (COT), 30-hydroxycotinine, COT-glucuronide and 30-hydroxycotinine-glucuronide. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase phenotype was assessed using the proportion of metabolites present as the glucuronide.

Results: A correlation was found between NMR and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase phenotype for COT (males and females) and 3′-HC in females (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: NMR is clearly influenced by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase phenotype for COT in Caucasians.