The effect of pH of douching solutions on mucociliary clearance

The effect of the pH of hypertonic saline nasal douching solutions on mucociliary clearance was studied in order to investigate the common notion that such solutions should be buffered alkaline. Thirty normal subjects were included in a randomised controlled crossover trial. Mucociliary clearance was measured by the saccharin clearance time. There was no difference in mucociliary clearance after douching with a non-buffered solution and a solution buffered to pH 8. However both solutions significantly improved mucociliary clearance compared to the baseline (P < 0.001) probably on account of their hypertonicity.