The Effect of Mucolytic Agents and Topical Decongestants on the Ciliary Activity of Chicken Tracheal Organ Cultures

Abstract

Summary: The chicken tracheal organ culture system was used to study the effect on cilia function of two frequently used topical decongestants and four mucolytic agents. The agents used were: phenylephrine hydrochloride spray 0.25%, oxymetazoline 0.05%, sodium bicarbonate 7.5%, acetylcysteine 10%, pancreatic dornase 50,000 units/ml, and L-arginine 5.6%. The tracheal rings were given two kinds of exposure to the test drugs. Only pancreatic dornase was not ciliotoxic. Until further data arc available, including studies with human organ cultures, it would perhaps be wise to discourage the topical use of phenylephrine hydrochloride spray 0.25% and oxymetazoline 0.05%, and to consider pancreatic dornase as the mucolytic agent of choice.

Speculation: Topical medications have been used on mucous membrane surfaces with little regard for whether the ciliary system is affected by them. Since all but one of the agents tested here showed pronounced ciliotoxic effect, we suggest that all topical drugs should undergo testing in a physiologic system such as chicken tracheal organ cultures.

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