No increase in carcinogen-DNA adducts in the lungs of monkeys exposed chronically to marijuana smoke

Abstract

Rhesus monkeys exposed to marijuana smoke either 7 or 2 days weeks (HI and LO groups, respectively), or ethanol-extracted marijuana smoke for 7 days week (EM) or sham treatment (SH) for 1 year were sacrificed 7 months following the last exposure. Pulmonary levels of carcinogen-DNA adducts were determined. Although mean or median adduct levels were not statistically different, 15 of 22 adduct measures were highest in the EM group and lowest 12 of 22 times in the SH group. The levels of aromatic carcinogen-DNA adducts seem no higher in the lungs of animals exposed to marijuana smoke than in untreated animals. Ethanol-extracted marijuana may have effects greater than marijuana itself.