Sister-chromatid exchanges in cannabis smokers.
The genotoxicity of cannabis smoking was evaluated by means of the sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) test. The SCE test is considered to be a sensitive tool for the discovery of genotoxic agents in the environment. Twenty-two tobacco smokers and 22 persons smoking both tobacco and cannabis were compared. Our findings showed that smoking in itself enhanced the SCE level significantly (18.5%) compared to a group of non-smokers, but adding smoking of cannabis to tobacco smoking did not affect the SCE level further. Based on our observations cannabis smoking could not be considered genotoxic.
Jørgensen
K
K
Department of Dermatology H 5192, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Wulf
H C
HC
Husum
B
B
Niebuhr
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015197:Carcinogenicity Tests; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects