Ambroxol inhibits Na+ absorption by canine airway epithelial cells in culture.
To study the effect of ambroxol on ion transport functions of airway mucosa, we measured bioelectric properties of canine cultured tracheal epithelium under short-circuit conditions in-vitro. Addition of ambroxol to the submucosal but not to the mucosal solution in an Ussing chamber decreased short-circuit current, transepithelial potential difference and cell conductance. The ambroxol-induced decrease in short-circuit current was not affected by bumetanide or diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, but it was abolished by pretreatment of cells with amiloride. These results suggest that ambroxol may selectively inhibit Na+ absorption by airway epithelium, thereby increasing water composition in airway surface fluid and reducing mucus viscosity.
First Department of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
J
J
Tamaoki
A
A
Chiyotani
F
F
Yamauchi
S
S
Takeuchi
T
T
Takizawa
D000042:Absorption; D000551:Ambroxol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000584:Amiloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D002034:Bumetanide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004285:Dogs; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012964:Sodium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014132:Trachea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014783:Viscosity; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology
D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates; D002034:Bumetanide; D000551:Ambroxol; D000584:Amiloride; C001209:fenamic acid; D012964:Sodium