The effect of tobacco smoke and some of its constitutents on triglyceride secretion in the squirrel monkey.

The acute effects of tobacco smoke and some of its constituents on plasma free fatty acid levels and on triglyceride secretion were studied in anaesthetized squirrel monkeys given Triton WR-1339. All the treatments raised plasma free fatty acids in the order high tar smoke greater than medium tar vapour phase = air:CO greater than medium tar smoke. Plasma triglyceride secretion in animals inhaling high tar smoke did not differ from controls. There was a transient rise in triglyceride secretion in animals inhaling vapour phase but the largest increase (after a significant delay) was in monkeys breathing air:CO. Maximal concentrations of blood carboxyhaemoglobin did not differ between the experimental groups. It is suggested that, under these experimental conditions, there are present in the particulate phase of tobacco smoke factors which inhibit hepatic triglyceride secretion.