Eustachian tube dysfunction after tobacco smoke exposure.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of tobacco smoke exposure on eustachian tube (ET) function.


METHODS
ET pressures of Sprague Dawley Rats (n = 16) were measured after 1, 7, and 15 exposures and in control animals. Passive opening pressure, passive closing pressure, active clearance of positive pressure, and active clearance of negative pressure were measured. Mucociliary clearance times were also quantified (n = 32).


RESULTS
Passive opening and passive closing pressures of smoke-exposed animals were greater than controls (P < 0.05). Passive opening pressure in smoke-exposed animals increased with increasing exposure (P < 0.001). Animals with 1 exposure had an active clearance of positive pressure higher than controls (P = 0.005) and those with 7 and 15 exposures had more negative active clearance of negative pressure than controls (P = 0.002, 0.03) Mucociliary clearance time was significantly elevated in experimental animals with 7 exposures (P = 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
Alterations in ET function exist in animals exposed to tobacco smoke.


CONCLUSIONS
ET dysfunction after tobacco smoke exposure may predispose children to the development of otitis media.
Dubin
Marc G
MG
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7070, USA. mdubin@nc.rr.com
Pollock
Hoke W
HW
Ebert
Charles S
CS
Berg
Eric
E
Buenting
John E
JE
Prazma
Jiri P
JP
D000388:Air; D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008365:Manometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000502:physiology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000209:etiology; D011312:Pressure; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution