[Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke condensate by using different solvents]

The use of short term in vitro tests is an important step in the evaluation of the mechanism of action of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC). This study evaluated the effects of both CSC and solvents on Swiss 3T3 murine fibroblast cells. Results show that after 24 hours of treatment, CSC exerts a dose-dependent cytotoxic activity, both in methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), through mechanisms involving cell death and alterations in cell proliferation and metabolism. On the contrary, after 1 hour of treatment, a cytotoxic effect is seen only with CSC in DMSO. In cell cultures devoid of CSC, similar results have been obtained after 24 hours with both types of treatment.