Identification of Cigarette Smoke Components That Alter Functioning of Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) Oviducts In Vitro1

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that solutions of mainstream and sidestream cigarette smoke decrease both ciliary beat frequency and oocyte cumulus complex pick-up rate of hamster oviducts in vitro. The purpose of this study was to identify the component(s) in smoke that produces these effects. Chemicals reported to be ciliotoxic in other systems were tested on hamster infundibula at various concentrations to determine whether a dose-response inhibition of ciliary beat frequency occurred. In addition, the concentration of each test component was measured in mainstream and sidestream smoke solutions (whole, particulate, and gas phase). All test components (acrolein, formaldehyde, phenol, acetaldehyde, and potassium cyanide [KCN]) inhibited ciliary beat frequency in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of ciliary beat frequency was at least partially reversible for all test compounds except acrolein. The concentrations of acrolein, formaldehyde, and phenol that were required to inhibit beat frequency were at least 3-50 times higher than their corresponding concentrations in smoke solutions. In contrast, cyanide was present in all smoke solutions at concentrations sufficient to inhibit ciliary beat frequency. Cilia on the outer surface of the infundibulum function in picking up the oocyte cumulus complex. Oocyte cumulus complex pick-up rate was measured in vitro at KCN concentrations shown to inhibit ciliary beat frequency. Pick-up rate was likewise inhibited by KCN and remained significantly depressed after washout of KCN. These data show that cyanide is a potent inhibitor of both ciliary beat frequency and oocyte cumulus complex pick-up rate and that its concentration in smoke solutions is sufficiently high to explain the previously reported inhibition of these oviductal processes.

Cyanide levels found in infected cystic fibrosis sputum inhibit airway ciliary function

“…The kinetics of cyanide inhibition of CBF we report here are broadly concordant with those observed in studies looking at the effects of cigarette smoke condensate on non-human ciliated models, such as freshwater mussel gills and chicken trachea [32][33][34]. As with our study, the time scales investigated were short (1-2 h).…”

A MicroRNA Processing Defect in Smokers' Macrophages Is Linked to SUMOylation of the Endonuclease DICER

“…Thus, acrolein delivered via cigarette smoke inhalation might reduce cellular DICER activity, leading to alterations in miRNA levels and, ultimately, gene expression. Such a model has been described in cultured endothelial cells where acrolein exposure resulted in decreases in miRNA and increased expression of their respective mRNA targets (39). Because acrolein is a by-product of the incomplete combustion of many natural and human-made materials, aldehyde-induced changes in miRNA expression due to alterations in DICER activity may prove to be a universal mechanism of inhalational pollutant toxicity (37).…”

Effects of sidestream cigarette smoke exposure on baroreflex components in spontaneously hypertensive rats

“…SSCS has a higher concentration of toxic substances compared to mainstream smoke due to a lower temperature of combustion as well as lack of filtering. For instance, there is five times more acrolein in SSCS compared to mainstream smoke (Talbot et al 1998). Figure 1.…”