Influence of smoking habits on the frequencies of structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes using the fluorescence in Situ hybridization (FISH) technique

The influence of smoking on the spontaneous frequencies of unstableand stable chromosomal aberrations in stimulated lymphocytesusing conventional Giemsa staining and flurescence in situ hybridization(FISH) was studied. The study groups consisted of 12 smokersand 30 nonsmokers. The frequency of translocations was determinedusing nine different chromosome-specific DNA libraries, representing–50% of the human genome, usually in a combination oftwo to three chromosomes in one cocktail. Using DNA librariesfor specific chromosomes and FISH also made it possible to detectaneuploid cells. No significant difference was observed betweensmokers and nonsmokers in the frequencies of unstable and stabletype of chromosomal aberrations. However, a significantly (P