title: The effect of hypertonicity on nasal mucociliary clearance.
abstract: The effect of the tonicity of saline nasal douching solutions on mucociliary clearance was studied in order to ascertain whether hypertonicity conferred any advantage. Thirty-eight normal subjects were included in a randomised double-blind crossover trial. Saline douching solutions of 0.9%, 3% and 5% tonicity were used and mucociliary clearance was measured by the saccharin clearance time (SCT). The resultant SCT after administration of 5% saline was significantly reduced compared to both 0.9% (P = 0.005) and 3% saline (P = 0.04). There was no difference between 0.9% and 3% saline administration. Thus hypertonic saline solutions improve mucociliary clearance, although this was only observed with solutions of 5% tonicity. The effect is probably brought about by changes in mucus rheology.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Homer
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Dowley
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Condon
authors: P
authors: P
authors: El-Jassar
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012212:Rheology; D012439:Saccharin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D012439:Saccharin