Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers in Smokers and Moist Snuff Consumers

This cross-sectional study was primarily a cardiovascular disease (CVD) study designed a) to compare selected CVD biomarker data between subjects who were long-term consumers of cigarettes or moist snuff and non-consumers of tobacco and b) to identify principal endpoints related to CVD risk that differed among the three tobacco-use cohorts. The following assessments provided the primary study endpoints for comparative analyses between the cohorts:

1. CVD-related physiological assessments: Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI), spirometry and expired carbon monoxide (ECO).
2. CVD-related biomarker assessments in blood and urine (biomarkers of tobacco effect).
3. Biomarkers of tobacco exposure in urine and blood.

This single site, observational study will provide an increased understanding of how consumption of different tobacco products (i.e., cigarettes and moist snuff compared to no tobacco use) affects 1) CVD-related physiological assessments and 2) CVD-related biomarkers of tobacco effect (i.e., proteins, lipids, and cellular components). A recent policy statement from the American Heart Association provides a review and analysis of the impact of smokeless (ST) use on cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Piano et al. 2010). The authors acknowledge that the evidence is consistent with the suggestion that the cardiovascular risks from ST products are markedly lower than those from cigarette smoking. Despite the potential risk reduction in transitioning from cigarettes to ST consumption, few studies have directly compared biomarkers of tobacco effect (BioEff) among smokers, moist snuff consumers (MSC) and non-tobacco consumers (NTC).

Furthermore, this study will measure biomarkers of tobacco exposure to assess their ability to differentiate the three tobacco consumer groups (smokers, moist snuff consumers, non-tobacco consumers) based on product use. Estimating exposures to combustion-related compounds found in tobacco smoke is best accomplished using biomarkers. A key advantage of human exposure biomarkers is that they are considered reliable metrics of the levels of exposure that consumers actually experience when using tobacco products (Hecht et al., 2010). Because combustion does not occur during ST use, ST products lack most of the combustion-related compounds found in tobacco smoke. Biomarker differences found between different tobacco use groups to harmful or potentially harmful constituents may indicate differences in subsequent health risks (Rodu and Godshall, 2006; Hatsukami et al., 2006).

Epidemiological data demonstrate that the health risks associated with cigarettes are significantly greater than those associated with the use of non-combustible tobacco and nicotine products (Surgeon General, 2010). On a relative risk continuum, cigarette smoking presents a significantly greater risk to tobacco users than use of non-combustible smokeless products. ST products, which are consumed orally, do no generate chemicals associated with the burning of tobacco, and thus, present a reduced toxicant profile compared to smoking.

To address the purpose and objectives of this study, the study was conducted as follows:

* Subjects were consented for the study prior to any procedures being performed and screened on study-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria to determine subject eligibility (within 28 days of study check-in).
* Eligible subjects were admitted to the clinical research unit between 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. on Day 1 and confined for one overnight stay (approximately 18-23 hours).
* After all study procedures were completed on Day 1 and Day 2, appropriate basic safety assessments were made and subjects were discharged approximately at 12:00 noon on Day 2.

A brief description of the study procedures performed is listed below.

* After check-in on Day 1, eligible subjects observed a 45-minute tobacco abstention period, followed by use of a single unit of their usual brand (UB) tobacco product, referred to as a "Challenge." For smokers, the "challenge" was smoking one UB cigarette in their usual manner; for moist snuff consumers, a 30-minute use of one typical pinch of their UB moist snuff.
* Fifteen minutes after the end of UB use, the following procedures were performed sequentially: ECO; blood samples for biomarkers of exposure (serum nicotine and cotinine, percent carboxyhemoglobin in whole blood); and ABI.
* At 30 minutes post-UB use, FMD was measured followed by administration of health-related questionnaires. The non-tobacco consumers had no product "Challenge". The completion of study questionnaires served as the reference point for collection of ECO, ABI and FMD.
* Blood biomarkers of tobacco exposure were collected on Day 1 following product "Challenge" and on Day 2 following an overnight tobacco abstention and fast.
* Urine biomarkers of tobacco exposure and effect were collected on both Day 1 post-"Challenge" and on Day 2 fasting.
* Blood biomarkers of tobacco effect were only collected on Day 2 fasting, followed by the re-assessment of the physiological measures (ECO, ABI, FMD) and assessment of CIMT.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Smokers: exclusive FF (full flavor; \> 13.0 mg FTC "tar" ) or FFLT (full flavor, low "tar" \[6.0 to 13.0 mg FTC "tar"\]) smokers who reported smoking at least 15 cigarettes daily for at least three years prior to Day 1 and whose ECO was 10 to 100 ppm (ranges of 2 to 9 ppm and 101 to 125 ppm were allowed upon joint review by the Sponsor and Investigator).
* Moist Snuff Consumers: exclusive oral smokeless tobacco users of any brand (Copenhagen, Skoal, Grizzly, Kodiak, Timber Wolf, Longhorn, Red Man, Levi Garrett, Beech-Nut, Chattanooga Chew, Kayak, etc.), any style (snuff cut, long cut, fine cut, pouch, loose, or plug) and any flavor (natural, straight, mint, wintergreen, etc.) who reported using at least two cans or packages per week for at least three years prior to Day 1 and whose ECO was 0 to 5 ppm (a range of 6 to 10 ppm was allowed upon joint review by the Sponsor and Investigator).
* Non-tobacco Consumers: never-smokers/never-ST users whose ECO was 0 to 5 ppm (a range of 6 to 10 ppm was allowed upon joint review by the Sponsor and Investigator).
* Male, between 26 and 49 years of age, inclusive (on Day 1 check-in).
* Free of clinically significant health problems in the opinion of the Investigator.
* Forced expiratory volume exhaled in one second (FEV1) ≥70% of predicted at Screening.
* Willing to undergo all study procedures during confinement.
* Not taking medication on a daily basis for chronic medical disorders deemed clinically significant by the Investigator.
* Willing to suspend usage of daily aspirin or over-the-counter (OTC) medication seven days prior to Day 1.
* Not taking any creatine supplements.
* Negative tests for selected drugs of abuse and alcohol at Screening and at Day 1 check-in.
* Able to read and comprehend questionnaires in English.
* Able to comprehend and willing to sign an Informed Consent Form (ICF).

Exclusion Criteria:

* At Screening, a BP that exceeds 140/90.
* \<70% predicted FEV1 from three acceptable maneuvers.
* Unwilling to have the FMD procedure performed two or more times during confinement.
* Unwilling to have the ABI procedure performed two times during confinement.
* For the FMD determination, poor brachial artery visualization due to extremely deep position or severe artifacts (noise) due to overlying muscle that, in the sonographer(s)' opinion, would result in an inferior, unreadable or unobtainable brachial artery image.
* A donation of blood from 30 days prior to Screening through Day 1, inclusive, or of plasma from two weeks prior to Screening through Day 1, inclusive.
* Receipt of blood products within two months prior to Day 1 check-in.
* Evidence of visible oral cancer, as found in an oral health examination at Screening or based on oral health questions at Day 1 check-in.
* Subject who is an employee of the clinical site.
* Subject who has participated in any other investigational study drug or product trial in which receipt of an investigational study drug or product occurred within 30 days prior to Day 1 check-in, inclusive.