Rodrigo de las Heras Kozma, Edson Marcelino Alves, Valter Abraão Barbosa-de-Oliveira, Fernanda Degobbi Tenorio Quirino dos Santos Lopes, Renan Cenize Guardia, Henrique Vivi Buzo, Carolina Arruda de Faria, Camila Yamashita, Manzelio Cavazzana Júnior, Fernando Frei, Maria José de Oliveira Ribeiro-Paes, João Tadeu Ribeiro-Paes
J Bras Pneumol.2014;40(1):46-54
Objective: To describe a new murine model of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: the cigarette smoke group, comprising 12 rats exposed to smoke from 12 commercial filter cigarettes three times a day (a total of 36 cigarettes per day) every day for 30 weeks; and the control group, comprising 12 rats exposed to room air three times a day every day for 30 weeks. Lung function was assessed by mechanical ventilation, and emphysema was morphometrically assessed by measurement of the mean linear intercept (Lm). Results: The mean weight gain was significantly (approximately ten times) lower in the cigarette smoke group than in the control group. The Lm was 25.0% higher in the cigarette smoke group. There was a trend toward worsening of lung function parameters in the cigarette smoke group. Conclusions: The new murine model of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema and the methodology employed in the present study are effective and reproducible, representing a promising and economically viable option for use in studies investigating the pathophysiology of and therapeutic approaches to COPD.
Keywords: Tobacco smoke pollution; Emphysema; Disease models, animal; Equipment and supplies.