COCLASTOGENICITY OF ETHANOL WITH CIGARETTE-SMOKE IN RAT ERYTHROBLASTS AND ANTICLASTOGENICITY IN ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES

A series of experiments was carried out to assess cytotoxic and cytogenetic effects in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) resulting from individual or combined exposure of male BD6 rats to ethanol, cigarette smoke and Aroclor 1254. Addition of 5% ethanol to drinking water did not affect the micronucleus frequency but consistently enhanced the proportion of polynucleated PAM. Moreover, the higher concentration used (10%) was cytotoxic in the bone marrow. Whole-body exposure to cigarette smoke elevated the micronucleus frequency in both PCE (4.0-4.4-fold) and PAM (2.0-3.6-fold) and enhanced the frequency of polynucleated PAM. After 3 weeks of combined exposure, ethanol produced contrasting effects in smoke-exposed rats, i.e. an increase of micronuclei in PCE and a decrease in PAM. An i.p. injection of Aroclor 1254 was per se devoid of any influence on the monitored parameters but tended to attenuate the cytotoxic and cytogenetic changes produced by cigarette smoke or ethanol in both types of cell.