Bioassay of major fractions of cigarette smoke condensate by an accelerated technic.

Abstract

The results of bioassays of fractions of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) using mice previously treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) are reported. The assay was designed to detect complete carcinogens as well as fractions possessing only tumor-promoting activity. The results showed that the weak acid (phenol) fraction and two neutral fractions exhibited statistically significant activity. In addition, the third neutral fraction gave results suggesting activity, and the ethersoluble base fraction exhibited possible activity. In these experiments, the basic dose of each fraction was the equivalent of 94 to 375 mg of CSC per week. In contrast, mice not previously treated with DMBA are usually given much more CSC. In the present study, the positive fractions were clearly detected in 40 weeks. The assay system thus has merit as a monitor for the fractionation of CSC and other similarly complex carcinogenic materials.