Morphology, histochemistry and isozymes of monkey kidney cells during long-term exposure to cigarette smoke.

Monkey kidney cells (Vero) in monolayer culture were exposed to 260 puffs of whole smoke from a mid tar range cigarette over a period of 240 days. Cell morphology was investigated at the light and electron microscopic level. The histochemical characteristics of several hydrolytic enzymes and dehydrogenases were examined, and the isozymes of LDH, MDH and G6PD studied. For all these parameters smoke exposed cells displayed the same features as sham exposed and negative controls. The cells were assessed as non malignant by their failure to form tumours in the nude mouse.