Cigarette smoke condensate and total particulate matter severely disrupts physiological angiogenesis

The cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) and total particulate matter (TPM) in cigarette smoke is extremely toxic and may produce several pathologies. In our study, we used a chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) to study the toxicological effects of CSC and TPM on different aspects of angiogenesis. CSC and TPM from four different commercial filtered cigarettes were applied to the CAMs on day 6 of incubation. Macroscopic vascular transformations were observed among all treated CAMs. The application of CSC disks caused obliteration of main blood vessels, while the entire architecture of the secondary and tertiary vasculature was completely destroyed. Likewise, the application of TPM from all brands of cigarette caused the disproportionate thinning of all primary and secondary blood vessels. A reduction in the total area and diameter of the primary, secondary, and tertiary blood vessels was observed after treatment with CSC and TPM. Histological evaluations revealed the loss of ectodermal and mesodermal integrity with both types of treatments. We also noted a profound inflammatory reaction restricted to the disk area with a novel filopodial deformity of the endoderm in the CSC treated groups. Scanty capillary plexus formation, deterioration of the extracellular matrix, and delayed migration of blood vessels were prominent findings among all treated groups. Results obtained from the CSC treated groups were more localized, while more generalized results were recorded in the TPM treated groups. Special caution should be taken for the presence of CSC and TPM while smoking during pregnancy or after surgery because it may severely affect the process of angiogenesis, which is vital to the maintenance of pregnancy and wound healing.