Influence of smoking habits on the frequencies of structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique.

The influence of smoking on the spontaneous frequencies of unstable and stable chromosomal aberrations in stimulated lymphocytes using conventional Giemsa staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was studied. The study groups consisted of 12 smokers and 30 nonsmokers. The frequency of translocations was determined using nine different chromosome-specific DNA libraries, representing approximately 50% of the human genome, usually in a combination of two to three chromosomes in one cocktail. Using DNA libraries for specific chromosomes and FISH also made it possible to detect aneuploid cells. No significant difference was observed between smokers and nonsmokers in the frequencies of unstable and stable type of chromosomal aberrations. However, a significantly (P < or = 0.05) higher frequency of hyperploidy was evident in smokers compared with nonsmokers.