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Tobacco smoke is phototoxic
M Placzek1, U Kerkmann, S Bell
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie and Allergologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Frauenlobstrasse 9-11, 80337 Munich, Germany. mairiann.placzek@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Background:
Both cigarette smoke and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are known to cause changes of the skin which can be regarded as premature ageing.
Objectives:
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.