Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Intranasal Administration of CNS Therapeutics to Awake Mice
Published on: April 8, 2013
Hypertonic saline decreases ciliary movement in human nasal epithelium in vitro
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ygmin@plaza.snu.ac.kr
Abstract:
Various saline solution formulae are frequently used in patients with rhinosinusitis. Osmolarity affects ciliary beat frequency (CBF); however, little is known about the effects of saline solutions on ciliary activity of nasal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to assess whether CBF of normal turbinate mucosa is affected by hypertonic, isotonic, or hypotonic saline solution in vitro and whether histologic changes are associated with the alteration of ciliary movement. We assessed variations of CBF after exposure to 0.06%, 0.12%, 0.9%, 3.0%, or 7.0% saline solutions and histologic changes were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Isotonic and hypotonic solutions produced no ciliary slowing; however, ciliostasis was observed within a few minutes in 3.0% or 7.0% solution. The histologic changes demonstrated that the ciliary slowing might be attributed to epithelial damage by fluid transport toward the surrounding medium. In conclusion, hypertonic saline solutions decrease CBF and disrupt nasal epithelial cells in vitro.
More Related Videos
08:00Generation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Spheroids for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Study
Published on: April 11, 2018
11:13Collection, Expansion, and Differentiation of Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Models for Quantification of Cilia Beat Frequency
Published on: November 10, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Tonicity in Animals
Transcellular Transport of Solutes
Tonicity in Animals
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...