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Mucus hypersecretion and viscoelasticity changes in cigarette-smoking dogs
M King1, A Wight, G T DeSanctis
1Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Experimental Lung Research
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Chronic cigarette smoke exposure causes mucus hypersecretion and initially decreases mucus elasticity and viscosity in dogs. This suggests altered mucus properties, potentially impacting airway clearance despite unchanged tracheal mucus linear velocity.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Physiology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Chronic cigarette smoke exposure is known to induce mucus hypersecretion.
- Alterations in mucus rheology due to smoking are not well-described.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mucus hypersecretion and rheological changes in dogs exposed to chronic cigarette smoke.
- To determine the impact of smoke exposure on mucus viscoelasticity and glycoprotein content.
Main Methods:
- Beagle dogs were exposed to cigarette smoke for 6-10 months via a tracheostomy tube.
- Mucus was collected, and its rheological properties (elasticity, viscosity) were measured using magnetic rheometry.
- Galactose content and tracheal mucus linear velocity (TMV) were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Eight of nine smoking dogs exhibited mucus hypersecretion.
- Early in exposure (2-4 months), mucus elasticity, viscosity, and galactose content significantly decreased.
- Tracheal mucus linear velocity (TMV) remained unchanged, while viscoelasticity normalized later, with persistently low galactose content.
Conclusions:
- Chronic cigarette smoke exposure leads to mucus hypersecretion and initial changes in mucus rheology and composition.
- The early decrease in viscoelasticity might suggest improved clearance, but altered glycoprotein content indicates a fundamental change in mucus nature.