Korean J Pathol.  2012 Apr;46(2):151-161.

Evaluation of Bronchiolar and Alveolar Cell Injuries Induced by Short- and Long-term Exposure to Sidestream Smoke

• Kwon KY
• Jung HR
• Hwang I
• Choi WI

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We investigated effects of short- and long-term exposure to sidestream smoke on the bronchiolar and alveolar cells in Sprague-Dawley rats.
METHODS
Rats were divided into five experimental groups: groups 1, 2, and 3 (1-month exposure to 3, 5, and 7 cigarettes a day, respectively), groups 4 and 5 (3- and 6 month exposure to five cigarettes a day, respectively). We examined the morphologic changes, the expressions of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), tumor growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), interlekin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, Ki-67, and cytokeratin 14 and in situ apoptosis in the bronchiolar and alveolar cells on light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopic (EM) terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.
RESULTS
LM showed the respiratory bronchiolar dilatation and alveolar wall collapse. In groups 3, 4, and 5, EM showed loss of the cilia and Clara cells with irregular size, more prominent alveolar wall collapse and dilation of alveolar duct than those of groups 1 and 2. Bronchiolar and alveolar cells showed increased expressions of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta in groups 4 and 5. LM and EM TUNEL stains showed increased apoptosis in groups 3, 4, and 5.
CONCLUSIONS
Sidestream smoke causes a bronchiolar and alveolar cell injury and the severity correlates strongly the volume and duration of exposure to sidestream smoke.

Keyword

Bronchiolar cells; Alveolar cells; Sidestream smoke; Immunohistochemistry; TUNEL staining

MeSH Terms

Animals
Apoptosis
Cilia
Coloring Agents
Dilatation
DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase
Electrons
Immunohistochemistry
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Keratin-14
Light
Microscopy
Rats
Smoke
Tobacco Products
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Coloring Agents
DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase
Keratin-14
Smoke
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha