Simultaneous exposure of Chinese hamsters to ethanol and cigarette smoke: cytogenetic aspects.

Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) were treated with ethanol, with cigarette smoke and with both. During the experimental period of 12 weeks a control group of animals (c) received water ad libitum, another water drinking group received a cigarette smoke treatment during the last 4 weeks (S). Another group received 20% (v/v) ethanol during the whole experimental period as the only liquid supply (E), and one group with the same ethanol treatment was simultaneously treated with cigarette smoke during the last 4 weeks of the experiment (ES). The investigation of bone marrow cells after 12 weeks with regard to chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges revealed no effects. A high mitotic activity was found in the smoke treated groups.