Effects of azathioprine on mucociliary clearance after bronchial section and anastomosis in a rat experimental model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of azathioprine on the mucociliary system in a model of bronchial section and anastomosis in rats.


METHODS
Thirty-six male Wistar-Furth rats were submitted to left bronchial section and anastomosis and divided into two groups to receive either saline solution or azathioprine. After 7, 15 and 30 days of treatment, six animals from each group were killed, after which in situ mucociliary transport velocity, in vitro mucus transportability, and contact angle of mucus in the right (intact) and left (sectioned) bronchi were measured.


RESULTS
In situ mucociliary transport velocity was significantly lower in the sectioned bronchi than in the intact bronchi (p < 0.001). In situ mucociliary transport velocity was lower in the intact bronchi of the animals treated with azathioprine for 7 days (p < 0.05), and those bronchi presented full recovery after 30 days of treatment. The contact angle was higher in the mucus samples collected from the sectioned bronchi of the animals treated with saline solution for 30 days (p < 0.001), which is in accordance with the decreased in vitro mucus transportability observed in the same animals (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that, in the sectioned bronchi of rats, treatment with azathioprine causes only transitory impairment of mucociliary transport, whereas administration of saline solution impairs mucociliary transport for up to 30 days. In addition, azathioprine protects against alterations in mucus surface properties.
FMUSP, University of São Paulo School of Medicine - São Paulo, Brazil. paulopego@incor.usp.br
Paulo Manuel Pêgo
PM
Fernandes
Marcelo Manzano
MM
Said
Rogério
R
Pazetti
Luis Felipe Pinho
LF
Moreira
Fabio Biscegli
FB
Jatene
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012965:Sodium Chloride
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D001379:Azathioprine