Effect of Smoking on Electron Microscopic Structure of Nasal Mucosa

The present study aimed to assess and compare the effect of smoking on ultrastructure morphology of nasal mucosa between smokers and nonsmokers. The study included 50 subjects aged 25-62 years who were planned for rhinological surgical procedures. Subjects were divided into 3 groups- group 1 (nonsmoker), group 2 (smokers taking 1 pack/day or less), group 3 (smokers taking 2 pack/day or more). During surgery, two 1-mm³ biopsies of nasal mucosa were taken from inferior turbinate, 1 cm behind its anterior end. Specimens were examined with compound and transmission electron microscope. There were significant mucosal changes like squamous metaplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, increase in basement membrane thickness seen in smokers. Ciliary changes like loss of cilia, decrease in length of cilia and significantly affected in smokers. But no significant changes seen in width of cilia and microtubular defect. Chronic inflammation, fibrosis, venous congestion and submucosal gland hypotrophy changes seen significantly in smokers as compared to nonsmokers. Smoking has a deleterious effect on the nasal respiratory mucosa. The severity of structural changes increased with duration of smoke exposure.