Mucociliary tracheal transport rates in man.
A new method for measuring mucociliary tracheal transport rates (MTTR's) is described. An aqueous aerosol containing albumin microspheres labeled with 99mTc was inhaled in such a manner that it was deposited in local concentrations in the large airways. These boli of microspheres were transported up the trachea and their MTTR's measured using a gamma camera. MTTR's were measured in 42 healthy nonsmoking adults (32 men and 10 women, mean age 28 yr). The mean MTTR's appeared to be log normally distributed with a geometric mean of 3.6 mm/min and a coefficient of variation of 75%. The MTTR's of men and women were similar. Each individual's short-term coefficient of variation was 25%. Twenty-two repeat studies 1 wk to 15 mo apart showed the variation within individuals was less than between individuals. The parasympatholytic drug, atropine (0.6 mg iv) decreased MTTR's for at least 3 h. Inhalation of the sympathomimetic drug, Th1165a increased MTTR's. Chronic and acute smoking did not appreciably change the MTTR'S.
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001692:Biological Transport; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002923:Cilia / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking; D013667:Technetium; D013997:Time Factors; D014132:Trachea / Q000378:metabolism*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000418:Albumins; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013667:Technetium; D001285:Atropine