3
Views
10
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Influence of Cigarette Smoke on Guinea Pigs

, &
Pages 366-369 | Received 28 Apr 1970, Accepted 14 May 1970, Published online: 29 Apr 2013
 

Abstract

A significant increase in the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes recoverable from the lungs of guinea pigs has been demonstrated to occur in response to exposure to cigarette smoke. This increase was accompanied by no change in serum antitrypsin levels over the ten-week exposure period. These observations., if applicable to man, suggest that a source of proteolytic enzymes in relatively high concentrations may be continuously present in the lungs of cigarette smokers. The depressant effect of cigarette smoke on natural respiratory defenses leaves the system increasingly susceptible to bacterial infections and even greater inflammation results. When this is added to an already excessive number of leukocytes chronically present, the resultant concentration of proteolytic enzymes may be greater than can be counteracted by the available enzyme inhibiting agent.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.