OBJECTIVETo establish an animal model for quantitative cigarette smoking and to determine the acute response of airways to cigarette smoke in guinea pigs.

METHODSThe device for inhaling quantitative cigarette smoking was made, which was double pass and single-direction with the minimum dead space. The changes of airway resistance(R(L))and dynamic lung compliance(Cdyn) in guinea pigs exposed to compound air consisting of 75% cigarette smoke and 25% oxygen were observed. Exudation of Evans blue in pulmonary vessels was also determined after consecutive inhalation of 60 ml smoke.

RESULTThe R(L) increased from the baseline of (0.21+/-0.05) cmH(2)O x ml(-1) x s to (0.37+/-0.13) cmH(2)O x ml(-1) x s after 10 consecutive breaths of cigarette smoke exposure(P<0.01). The Cdyn decreased to (61+/-19)% of baseline at the ninth to eleventh breaths (P<0.01). The exudations of Evans blue significantly increased in all measured parts of the airways such as lower trachea, main bronchi, proximal intrapulmonary airways and distal intrapulmonary airways (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe model established in this study is useful for measuring the acute responses of airways induced by cigarette smoke in guinea pigs. Acute inhalation of cigarette smoke decreases dynamic lung compliance, increases airway resistance and vascular permeability of pulmonary vessels in guinea pigs.