The use of horseradish peroxidase to demonstrate degenerate cells in rat larynx after acute tobacco smoke exposure.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was administered topically to laryngeal epithelia of rats exposed to tobacco smoke for a single 20-min period. The HRP demonstrated the distribution of degenerate and/or injured cells. These cells were specifically located in the ciliated epithelium in the ventrolateral region, at the base of the epiglottis.