Comparison of Measurements from in vitro Micronucleus Assays for Cells Exposed to Whole or Condensate of Mainstream Cigarette Smoke

An in vitro micronucleus assay method for whole smoke exposure of mainstream cigarette smoke was established with VITROCELL system, and the measurements from in vitro micronucleus assays for cells exposed to whole or condensate of mainstream cigarette smoke were compared. The results indicated that the established method could be used for the genotoxicity testing of cigarette smoke. At the same smoke dosage, the genotoxicity of cigarette smoke determined with whole smoke exposure was greater than that with smoke condensate exposure. Comparing with traditional smoke condensate exposure, the measurements from in vitro micronucleus assay for whole smoke exposure relatively completely reflect the genotoxicity of mainstream cigarette smoke.