Decreased density of pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex, and Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex of Sprague-Dawley rats after being exposed to filtered kretek cigarette smoke

Abstract

Filtered kretek cigarette smoke is a gas that contains solid components (particulates). Carcinogenic chemicals are present in this type of cigarette smoke. Furthermore, it is said that tobacco has a major negative impact on cerebral structure development, creates addiction, and alters brain activity and function. The purpose of this study was to see how filtered kretek cigarette smoke affected the density of pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex and Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex. An experimental and control group design was used for the study. Group 1 (6 rats) is the control group, and the rats breathe normally. Group 2 (6 rats) was exposed to filtered kretek cigarette smoke at a rate of one stick per day for three months. Pyramidal cells in the rat cerebral cortex and Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex were studied. Pyramidal cells were expected to be distributed in the cerebral cortex at the hippocampus area of rats in group 1. In contrast, the density of pyramidal cells decreased in group 2. The number of pyramidal cells in the rat cerebral cortex differed significantly between groups 1 and 2 (p<0.001). Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex in group 1 were normal, whereas Purkinje cells in group 2 were degenerated. The distance between Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex was greater in group 1 than in group 2 (p<0.001). Rats exposed to 1 stick of Kretek cigarette smoke each day for 3 months had lower pyramidal cell density in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The same result happened: one stick of Kretek cigarette smoke each day for three months reduced Purkinje cell density in the cerebellar cortex.