Selenium-mediated reduction in the mutagenicity of cigarette smoke

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Environ. Mol. Mutagen.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2850110308· OSTI ID:7189149

Chortyk, O T; Baker, J L; Chamberlain, W J

Cigarette smoke contains carcinogens and mutagens and affects the health of smokers. Recently, increased research has proven the potentially protective activity of selenium (Se) against heavy metal toxicity, cancer, and other health disorders. Accordingly, we have proposed the fortification of tobacco with Se to develop safer cigarettes. As a start in evaluating any biological effects of added Se, we have determined the mutagenicity of inhaled, mainstream (MS) cigarette smoke condensate (CSC), with and without Se, in the preincubation assay of the Ames test. Initially, it was shown that Se, as sodium selenite, was not mutagenic at high concentrations (up to 80 micrograms/plate) with strains TA1538 and TA1978. Subsequently, the effects of different levels of Se, added to MS CSC, were examined with TA98, TA100, and TA1538. On the average, addition of 10 micrograms Se produced mutagenicity reductions of about 50%. Higher levels of added Se yielded further reductions. Cigarette sidestream (SS) smoke, collected between puffs, was also tested. Again, Se added to SS-CSC gave similar reductions, confirming its antimutagenic effect for both mainstream and sidestream smoke.

• Research Organization: Richard B. Russell Research Center, Athens, GA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7189149
• Journal Information: Environ. Mol. Mutagen.; (United States), Vol. 11:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
SELENIUM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
MUTAGEN SCREENING
TOBACCO SMOKES
HEALTH HAZARDS
CARCINOGENS
MUTAGENESIS
MUTAGENS
RATS
SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM
AEROSOLS
ANIMALS
BACTERIA
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
HAZARDS
MAMMALS
MICROORGANISMS
RESIDUES
RODENTS
SALMONELLA
SCREENING
SEMIMETALS
SMOKES
SOLS
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology