Comparison of brain nicotine accumulation from traditional combustible cigarettes and electronic cigarettes with different formulations

Abstract

Rapid brain accumulation is critical for the acute reinforcing effects of nicotine. Although nicotine formulation (free-base vs. protonated or salt) in electronic cigarette (E-cig) liquid affects user satisfaction, its impact on brain nicotine accumulation (BNA) from E-cig use has not been evaluated in comparison with traditional combustible cigarettes (C-cigs) using a within-subjects design. BNA was directly assessed with 29 adult dual users (13 females) of E-cigs and C-cigs, using [¹¹C]nicotine and positron emission tomography (PET). Participants underwent two 15-min upper body (from chest to head) scanning sessions during which they inhaled a single puff of [¹¹C]nicotine-labeled vapor from E-cigs with free-base nicotine or C-cig smoke in a randomized order. Seventeen of them also went through another session during which they inhaled from E-cigs with nicotine salt. A full-body scan was also conducted at each session to measure total absorbed dose of [¹¹C]nicotine. Mean maximum nicotine concentration (C_max) in brain following inhalation of free-base nicotine E-cig vapor was 19% and 15% lower relative to C-cig smoke and nicotine salt E-cig vapor (ps = 0.014 and 0.043, respectively). The C_max values did not differ significantly between the C-cig and nicotine salt E-cig. Mean values of time to the maximum concentration (T_max) were not significantly different between the two types of E-cig, but they were 64% and 40% longer than that for C-cig smoking (ps = 0.0005 and 0.004, respectively). Mean C_max with C-cigs and free-base nicotine E-cigs were greater in females relative to males and correlated with T_1/2 of lung nicotine clearance and participants' pack-years. These results suggest that while E-cigs with free-base nicotine formulation can deliver nicotine rapidly to the brain, those with nicotine salt formulation are capable of even more efficient brain nicotine delivery closely resembling combustible cigarettes. Therefore, nicotine formulation or pH in E-liquid should be considered in evaluation of E-cigs in terms of abuse liability and potential in substituting for combustible cigarettes.