Rats were exposed to the smoke of non-filter cigarettes for various periods of time. The weight gain of the exposed animals was markedly less than that of controls, and they revealed signs of irritation of the respiratory mucous membrane. The frequency of ciliary beat and the rate of mucous flow in the bronchial tree of the exposed rats were not significantly altered. However, patches were observed in the tracheobronchial epithelium of these animals in which mucociliary mechanism was abnormal. Also numerous areas of ciliary inactivity were present. These alterations in mucociliary function were very similar to those found in bronchitis.
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Iravani et al. (2009) studied this question.