Tobacco smoke is phototoxic.
BACKGROUND
Both cigarette smoke and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are known to cause changes of the skin which can be regarded as premature ageing.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the theory that the effects of these two exposures could be linked by a phototoxic action of cigarette smoke.


METHODS
A photohaemolysis test was used, in which human erythrocytes were incubated with cigarette smoke condensate, followed by UV irradiation and measurement of exposure-dependent haemolysis.


RESULTS
Cigarette smoke condensate was clearly phototoxic. Photohaemolysis depended on the concentration of the condensate and UV dose and was more pronounced after exposure to UVA-rich than UVB-rich radiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Phototoxicity may be a mechanism by which cigarette smoking causes premature skin ageing. An enhancing effect on photocarcinogenesis has also to be considered.
Placzek
M
M
Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie and Allergologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Frauenlobstrasse 9-11, 80337 Munich, Germany. mairiann.placzek@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Kerkmann
U
U
Bell
S
S
Koepke
P
P
Przybilla
B
B
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017484:Dermatitis, Phototoxic / Q000209:etiology*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015595:Skin Aging; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014026:Nicotiana
D012906:Smoke