Investigations on the Effects of Chronic Cigarette-Smoke Inhalation in Syrian Golden Hamsters

• Published in: JNCI : Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1973-12, Vol.51 (6), p.1781-1832
• Main Authors: Dontenwill, W., Chevalier, H. -J., Harke, H. -P., Lafrenz, U., Reckzeh, G., Schneider, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Asbestos; Benz(a)Anthracenes; Body Weight; Carcinogens; Cardiovascular Diseases - chemically induced; Cricetinae; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythrocyte Count; Esophageal Neoplasms - chemically induced; Female; Hemoglobinometry; Laryngeal Neoplasms - chemically induced; Liver Neoplasms - chemically induced; Male; Mouth Neoplasms - chemically induced; Neoplasms, Experimental - chemically induced; Nitrosamines; Nose Neoplasms - chemically induced; Ovarian Neoplasms - chemically induced; Papilloma - chemically induced; Pharyngeal Neoplasms - chemically induced; Respiratory Tract Diseases - chemically induced; Respiratory Tract Neoplasms - chemically induced; Respiratory Tract Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - chemically induced; Smoking - complications; Stomach Diseases - chemically induced; Stomach Neoplasms - chemically induced; Time Factors; Tracheal Neoplasms - chemically induced
• ISSN: 0027-8874; 1460-2105
• DOI: 10.1093/jnci/51.6.1781

Results of chronic inhalation experiments on Syrian golden hamsters were reported. Of 4440 hamsters, 3610 were used for their entire lifespans; the remaining 830 were exposed for no longer than 52 weeks. Some animals received additional treatment with carcinogens. Survival times and body and organ-weight development were correlatetl with treatment or morphologic changes. Pathohistologic investigations of organs and tissues, hematologic examinations, and biochemical analyses of blood were performed. Experimental results demonstrated a dose-response relationship. Effects of smoke from various types of cigarettes and effects of combined smoke and carcinogen treatment were evaluated. The results were as follows: 1) Changes induced by smoke exposure—Striking differences were found between experimental groups. Alterations were most pronounced in the larynx and depended on duration of treatment and dosage; survival times were reduced, and loss of body weight was dose dependent; the number of erythrocytes increased and hemoglobin rose. 2) Changes enhanced by smoke exposure-Incidence of “smoke cells” was greater; increase in “adenomatoid lesions” was slightly significant. 3) Effects of treatment with DMBA—The number of tumors increased in the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, trachea, liver, anti ovary; the occurrence of ovarian cysts also increased. 4) Effects of nitrosamine treatment—Papillomas in the trachea and lower region of the larynx differed from those in animals exposed to smoke. 5) Changes not connected with treatment—Findings included stomach ulcers, gastritis, pulmonary emphysema, inflammation of the respiratory tract, generalized amyloidosis, testicular atrophy, vascular and heart diseases, muscular atrophy, formation of thromboses in heart and lungs, cardiomyopathy, inflammatory changes in the soft tissue and intestinal organs, bile-duct cysts, bile-duct proliferation; also tumors of the nasal cavity, skin, connective and supporting tissues, hematopoietic system, and adrenal glands, and biochemical and hematologic changes (apart from changes in erythrocytes and hemoglobin).