ERRATUM

Effects of Chronic Cigarette Smoke Exposure on the Histochemistry and Anti-oxidant Status of Wistar Rat's Cerebelli

The health implications and complications of cigarette smoking are still prevalent worldwide. This study demonstrates the effects of chronic exposure to cigarette smoke on the Nissl bodies and the anti-oxidant status of the cerebelli of adult Wistar rats. Twelve male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Control Group A was exposed to fresh air, while Treatment Groups B, C and D were exposed to smoke from one, two and three sticks of cigarette (Pall Mall®) respectively, daily, over a period of 28 days. Each stick contained an average of 0.8375 g of tobacco, completely burnt during exposure. At the end of exposure, the tissues were removed and weighed. Specimens for histological studies were fixed in formol calcium and processed using cresyl fast violet techniques, while tissues for anti-oxidant studies were homogenised using cold 0.25 M sucrose solution, centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 5 min, and put in freezer. Biochemical kit from Randox® was used to determine the tissue activity of glutathione peroxidase, as a marker for endogenous anti-oxidant status. Exposed animals showed reduction in body weights and cerebellar weights. Tissue glutathione peroxidase levels decreased. Histochemical changes include progressive loss of white matter, reduced cortical thickness, and Nissl granules distribution. Most of these effects were dose-dependent. Cigarette smoking produced deleterious changes in the normal histochemistry and the anti-oxidant status of the cerebellum, and could predispose to abnormal functioning of the cerebellum.

Key Words: cigarette smoke, glutathione peroxidase, Nissl granules