BACKGROUND: Nonsmokers are harmed by the exposure to the smoke produced by smokers. Several experimental studies have demonstrated the negative effects of both active and passive smoking. To simulate passive exposure to cigarette smoke in rats, a simple, inexpensive and easy-to-maintain apparatus (Braga-Gazzalle) that uses sidestream smoke was developed in the Laboratory of Surgical Research, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). METHODS: The inhalation system consists of a 40x33x17 cm polypropylene box divided into 2 chambers by a perforated metal screen, the larger was used for rats and the lowest for cigarettes. A fan generates continuous internal airflow so that the smoke produced by the smoldering end of the cigarette reaches the animals. After approval by the Ethical Committee, 5 rats (Group A) was exposed daily to the inhalation of smoke during 2 hours, compared with control group with 5 rats (Group B). After four weeks of exposition, carboxyhemoglobin (CoHb) was dosed. The animals were then sacrificed. The statistical analysis used was the t-Student test with 5% significance. RESULTS: In Group A, mean CoHb levels was 11.52 ± 4.40%, and in Group B was 0.3 ± 0.2%. Carboxyhemoglobin levels observed in Group A were much greater than in the Group B (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The experimental model developed by the authors proved that properly exposes the animals to sidestream smoke. The apparatus has shown reliable easy to maintain and, above all, low operating cost.
Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Smoking; Carboxyhemoglobin; Models, Animal; Rats
