The Effect of Some Preservatives Used in Nasal Preparations on the Mucus and Ciliary Components of Mucociliary Clearance

A.H. Batts, C. Marriott, G. P. Martin, C. F. Wood, S. W. Bond

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Abstract— Efficient mucociliary clearance is a function of the physical properties of the mucus coupled to appropriately functioning cilia and may be altered by substances affecting ciliary beat frequency (CBF). Therefore the effect of preservatives on CBF was investigated using a photoelectronic technique. Methyl‐p‐hydroxybenzoate, propyl‐p‐hydroxybenzoate, chlorbutol and chlorocresol inhibited beat frequency, an effect which was reversible upon rinsing out the first three compounds but not chlorocresol. The effect of chlorhexidine and phenylmercuric borate on CBF was complicated by an interaction with chloride ions in the media used. EDTA did not appear to be ciliotoxic, while the effect of benzalkonium chloride was variable. Thiomersal halted ciliary beating after 40–100 min. Mucociliary clearance may also be affected by an alteration of the physical properties of the mucus layer, therefore the effect of each compound on the rheological properties of purified pig gastric mucus glycoprotein was investigated. None of the preservatives significantly altered the viscoelastic properties of the gel, measured using dynamic techniques. 1990 Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)145-151
    Number of pages7
    JournalJournal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
    Volume42
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1990

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