In vitro study on the influence of N-chlorotaurine on the ciliary beat frequency of nasal mucosa.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of N-chlorotaurine (NCT), a new endogenous antimicrobial agent, on the nasal ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in nasal mucosa samples of 10 adult patients who underwent conchotomy.


METHODS
CBF was measured by a photometric technique, combining a light microscope, a photometer, a photograph multiplier, and a computed analyzing unit.


RESULTS
CBF decreased approximately 10% after 20 minutes of incubation in aqueous 1% NCT solution compared with 3% in 0.9% saline, and 0.1 and 0.01% NCT had no effect. However, a solution of 7% cocaine, which is used routinely for shrinking the nasal mucosa before rhinoscopy lowered the CBF to 50% after the same incubation time.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm the very low toxic potential of NCT, and they are fundamental for clinical investigations regarding its topical application in the nasal and paranasal sinuses.
Hofer
Edmund
E
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Austria.
Neher
Andreas
A
Gunkel
Andreas R
AR
Nagl
Markus
M
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002923:Cilia / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010783:Photometry; D013654:Taurine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D013654:Taurine; C043410:N-chlorotaurine