Morphologic and histochemical studies of chromolipid cytoplasmic inclusions in the pulmonary macrophages of guinea pigs after inhaling cigarette smoke
Chyczewski, L.; Chyczewska, E.
Patologia Polska 37(2): 121-130
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-3114 PMID: 3808756 Document Number: 275792
Semiquantitative histological examination and histochemical examination of lipopigment were carried out in the macrophages isolated from the lungs of guinea-pigs exposed to the cigarette smoke. Twenty-four guinea-pigs of Nowosadecka breed were divided into four experimental groups: group I - guinea-pigs exposed to the cigarette smoke for three months; group II - animals exposed to the smoke for three months followed by one-month-period of nonexposure; group III and IV - guinea-pigs submitted to simulated exposure without contact with the smoke (corresponding control groups). Lipopigment found in the macrophges resembled morphologically lipofuscin. In H + E and PAS stainings it had natural yellowish-brown colour, it showed auto fluorescence and yielded positive reactions in staining with fat, including fluorescence induced with 3,4-benzopirene. Lipopigment was found in the pulmonary macrophages in all experimental animals. In guinea-pigs exposed to the cigarette smoke (group I and II) greater amounts of lipopigment were found more frequently than in control groups (group I - 36,2%, group II - 29,9%, control group - 6,3%). After one month of non-exposure (group II) the percentage of macrophages with greater amount of lipopigment was only slightly reduced. In the discussion it was emphased that after giving up smoking morphological changes in the pulmonary macrophges receded much more slowly than function changes.