Tobacco carcinogenesis:IX. Effect of cigarette smoke on respiratory tract of mice after passive inhalation

Abstract

Pathologic changes in the respiratory tract of “smoked” male C57BL mice were investigated. In a reduced pressure chamber animals were exposed to smoke of filter and nonfilter cigarettes, an admixture of volatile acids and aldehydes and NO2 One group of mice was inoculated with Swine influenza virus before smoke exposure. Histologic sections were taken from the nasal cavity and respiratory tree. Mice exposed to cigarette smoke and volatile agents appeared to have increased susceptibility to infections of the nasal cavity and respiratory tree. Incidence of hyperplasia and metaplasia increased in “smoked” mice and is considered secondary to inflammation. No progress of these changes occurred with prolonged exposure in either these mice or mice infected with Swine influenza virus. All changes were reversible.