The Potential of Chromatographic and Chemometric Profiling as Early Detection Tools for Metabolic Disturbances in Third-Hand Smoke-Exposed Rats: An Exploratory Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2025.10129Keywords:
Chromatography, Third-hand smoke, Chemometric analysis, Metabolic biomarkers, Toxicant exposure, Early detection, Exploratory studyAbstract
The application of chromatography in detecting toxicant-induced systemic alterations remains underexplored. Third-hand smoke (THS) exposure is increasingly recognised as a significant environmental health concern; however, its metabolic and haematological consequences are not yet fully characterised. This study investigates the potential of chromatographic profiling and chemometric analysis as tools for the early detection of metabolic disturbances induced by THS. Fifteen male Wistar rats were allocated to 3 groups: Control and THS exposure (12 or 24 cigarettes per day). Blood samples were collected at multiple time points for haematological analysis, while serum chromatography was conducted on day 10, and lung histology was assessed on day 30. Early metabolic disturbances were observed, characterised by the depletion of key amino acids (L-methionine, DL-lysine, DL-threonine, L-leucine, DL-arginine, and DL-carnitine) and elevated lipid biomarkers (palmitoyl sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine) in THS-exposed groups. These metabolic alterations preceded detectable haematological abnormalities. By day 30, haematological impairments and substantial pulmonary damage were evident. The depletion of essential amino acids and elevations in lipid biomarkers may serve as early indicators of toxicant-induced systemic effects. Chromatographic profiling detected metabolic perturbations prior to haematological and pulmonary impairments, highlighting its potential as an early toxicity detection tool. The findings of this exploratory study underscore the promise of chromatography for early toxicity detection, warranting further validation in larger cohorts.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Chromatographic profiling detects early metabolic disruptions before conventional haematological abnormalities manifest in THS-exposed rats.
- Depletion of key amino acids (L-methionine, DL-lysine, DL-threonine, L-leucine, DL-arginine, DL-carnitine), increased Phosphatidylcholine (significant) and Palmitoyl Sphingomyelin were observed on day 10, despite normal haematological parameters.
- Early elevation of phosphatidylcholine (significant) and palmitoyl sphingomyelin aligns with inflammasome activation (IL-18 elevation) and progressive lung damage, indicating their potential as biomarkers of third-hand smoke (THS)-induced toxicity.
- Routine haematological tests did not detect early systemic toxicity, reinforcing the need for chromatography-based biomonitoring for hidden toxicant exposure.
- Findings support the integration of chromatography into environmental toxicology frameworks for early detection of exposure-related diseases in at-risk populations.
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