Ultrastructure and Physiological Effects of Nontobacco Cigarettes on Tetrahymena

Abstract

The ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis was exposed to smoke filtrates from two nontobacco, nonnicotine cigarettes made of grass and lettuce. Ultra- structural alteration consisted primarily of degradation of the mitochondria, including dissolution of the inner tubular cristae and an infolding of both membranes.

After exposure to these residues for 60 minutes, ciliastasis occurred and O₂ consumption was reduced by more than 90%. The effect of purified nicotine in the amount found in an individual cigarette revealed no substantial reduction in O₂ consumption, no ciliastasis, and no loss of ultrastructural integrity. The data suggest that smoke filtrates of any combustion material may produce mitochondrial damage, impairment of O₂ consumption, and ciliastasis.