Sister chromatid exchange, (SCE), High-Frequency Cells (HFCs) and SCE distribution patterns in peripheral blood lymphocytes of Spanish adult smokers compared to non-smokers

- We evaluated the SCE frequency in a Spanish group of light and heavy smokers.
- The parameters were SCE frequency, mean HFC number and, SCE distribution pattern.
- Neither age nor sex did significantly influence any parameter.
- Light and heavy smokers had the three parameters significantly increased.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, smoking tobacco is a major cause of cancer in humans. It causes about half of all male cancer deaths and an ever increasing number of cancer deaths in females. The aim of this study was to establish whether cigarette smoking increases sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in peripheral blood lymphocytes in two Spanish population groups; light and heavy smokers. The mean number of High-Frequency Cells (HFCs) was determined and, the SCE distribution pattern among the chromosomes was analysed represented by a ratio described below. A local sample of 101 adult smokers (n = 48) and non-smokers (n = 53), aged from 18 to 49 years, was studied using SCE levels in peripheral lymphocytes. Heavy smoking (⩾10 cigarettes per day) increased significantly the SCE frequency and the HFC parameters. Neither age nor sex significantly influenced the frequencies in the groups studied.