Histologic changes in the auditory tube mucosa of rats after long-term exposure to cigarette smoke
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Impact Assessment of Repeated Exposure of Organotypic 3D Bronchial and Nasal Tissue Culture Models to Whole Cigarette Smoke
Published on: February 12, 2015
Soo-Keun Kong1, Kyong-Myong Chon, Eui-Kyung Goh
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Purpose:
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of cigarette smoke on the auditory tube and middle ear mucosa after long-term exposure (4 and 6 months).
Materials And Methods:
Fifteen rats were divided into 3 groups. The experimental groups were exposed to cigarette in a smoking chamber for 4 and 6 months (n = 5 each). A control group (n = 5) was placed in the same chamber without exposure to cigarette smoke. Histologic changes of the auditory tube mucosa were observed through light and electron microscopes. Histologic changes of the middle ear mucosa were also observed through light microscopes.
Results:
The histologic changes consisted of a proliferation of goblet cells and an increase of mucus secretion in auditory tube. Squamous metaplasia was paradoxically decreased according to the duration of exposure in auditory tube. The number of goblet cell was gradually increased according to the duration of exposure in the auditory tube and middle ear.
Conclusions:
Long-term passive smoke directly affects the auditory tube and middle ear mucosa. Histologic changes of auditory tube mucosa consisted of goblet cell proliferation and excessive mucus secretion.
More Related Videos
09:07In Vitro Model for Studying Differentiation and Changes of Multi-Omics on Murine Airway Epithelial Cells Stimulated with Cigarette Smoke Extract
Published on: July 12, 2024
10:37Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice
Published on: January 16, 2015
