Submucosal Gland Hypertrophy in Trachea of Mice Exposed to Shisha Smoke

Objective: To determine the histological effects of Shisha smoke on submucosal glands in trachea of experimental animals. Material & Methods: This analytical experimental randomized control trial was carried out in the department of anatomy, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health (NIH), in the year 2013. Twenty-five adult male BALB/c mice were used and were randomly divided into 2 groups. Control group C was kept in a chamber exposed to fresh air. Shisha smoke group SS was exposed to Shisha smoke in a separate chamber. All mice were dissected after eight weeks and tissues of trachea were examined microscopically. The trachea was examined for the presence of submucosal gland hypertrophy by using Reid’s index. Results were entered on SPSS version 20 and compared in experimental groups. Results: Reid’s Index was used to assess submucosal gland hypertrophy. There was marked submucosal gland hypertrophy in trachea of group SS exposed to Shisha smoke as compared to control group C mice. Conclusion: Shisha smoke contains high level of toxins in its smoke that cause disruption of mucocilary clearance and hypertrophy of submucosal glands in experimental animals.