Some effects of experimentally-produced cigarette smoke on the growth, vitamin C metabolism and organ weights of guinea-pigs

Abstract

Abstract Guinea-pigs receiving a controlled dietary intake of L-xyloascorbic acid (ascorbic acid, vitamin C) inhaled experimentally produced cigarette smoke for periods of up to 20 min each day. Growth rate was significantly depressed by the smoke treatment, an effect at least in part attributable to a reduction in food intake. Growth of individual organs was not depressed to the same extent as that of the body as a whole. The lungs of the animals receiving smoke were significantly heavier than those of control animals (P < 0·05). The concentration of ascorbic acid in the adrenal glands was significantly lower in the animals receiving smoke than in the controls (P < 0·01). The smoke-induced depression of the adrenal gland ascorbic acid was apparent after 4 days; after 18 days marked adrenal hypertrophy accompanied the lowered ascorbic acid levels.