The comparative clastogenic activity of mainstream tobacco smoke from cigarettes widely consumed in Armenia

Abstract

Whole-body exposure of male albino Swiss mice to the mainstream smoke produced by 10 types of cigarettes widely consumed in Armenia resulted in a significant increase (2.4–5.6-fold) of the number of micronucleated bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes. The smoke produced by cigarettes manufactured in Armenia, Russia and Bulgaria was more clastogenic than the smoke produced by cigarettes manufactured in the USA. A high direct correlation was observed between the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and the content of tar and nicotine.