Histologic effects of smokeless tobacco and alcohol on the pouch mucosa and organs of the Syrian hamster.

This study's intent was to measure the histologic effects of smokeless tobacco and alcohol on the buccal pouch mucosa and internal organs of male Syrian hamsters. Eighty hamsters were divided into four groups: tobacco only, alcohol only, tobacco and alcohol, and negative control. 200 mg of smokeless tobacco were placed in each pouch of the tobacco groups five times a week. In the alcohol groups, 2 ml of 15% ethyl alcohol were placed in each pouch five times a week. The negative control group had mechanical stimulation of the right pouch to simulate the placement of the tobacco. After 26 wk the animals were sacrificed with pouches and abdominal organs removed. Alterations were observed in the abdominal organs, but not of statistical significance. However, significant acanthosis of the pouch epithelium was noted in the tobacco and tobacco and alcohol groups. This study reaffirms the lack of carcinogenic potential of smokeless tobacco upon the hamster pouch mucosa and internal organs.