title: The effects on mucociliary clearance of prednisone associated with bronchial section.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Infections have been and remain the major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. Because mucociliary clearance plays an important role in human defense mechanisms, the influence of drugs on the mucociliary epithelium of patients undergoing lung transplantation must be examined. Prednisone is the most important corticosteroid used after lung transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bronchial transection and prednisone therapy on mucociliary clearance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 120 rats were assigned to 4 groups according to surgical procedure or drug therapy: prednisone therapy (1.25 mg/kg/day); bronchial section and anastomosis + prednisone therapy (1.25 mg/kg/day); bronchial section + saline solution (2 ml/day); and saline solution (2 ml/day). After 7, 15, or 30 days, the animals were sacrificed, and the lungs were removed from the thoracic cavity. The in situ mucociliary transport velocity, ciliary beat frequency and in vitro mucus transportability were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Animals undergoing bronchial section surgery and anastomosis had a significant decrease in the ciliary beat frequency and mucociliary transport velocity 7 and 15 days after surgery (p<0.001). These parameters were normalized 30 days after the surgical procedure. Prednisone improved mucous transportability in the animals undergoing bronchial section and anastomosis at 15 and 30 days (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bronchial section and anastomosis decrease mucociliary clearance in the early postoperative period. Prednisone therapy improves mucus transportability in animals undergoing bronchial section and anastomosis.
authors: Heart Institute, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. kariandri@usp.br
authors: Karina Andrighetti de Oliveira
authors: KA
authors: Braga
authors: Natalia Aparecida
authors: NA
authors: Nepomuceno
authors: Aristides Tadeu
authors: AT
authors: Correia
authors: Fabio Biscegli
authors: FB
authors: Jatene
authors: Paulo Manuel
authors: PM
authors: Pêgo-Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001980:Bronchi / Q000601:surgery*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone