Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
Determining Ciliary Function and Membrane Impermeability of the Pseudostratified Lung Airway Epithelium
Published on: February 21, 2025
Betadine has a ciliotoxic effect on ciliated human respiratory cells
1Rhinology and Skull Base Research Group,St. Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research,Darlinghurst,New South Wales,Australia.
Objective:
This study investigated the effect of Betadine on ciliated human respiratory epithelial cells.
Methods:
Epithelial cells from human sinonasal mucosa were cultured at the air-liquid interface. The cultures were tested with Hanks' balanced salt solution containing 10 mM HEPES (control), 100 µM ATP (positive control), 5 per cent Betadine or 10 per cent Betadine (clinical dose). Ciliary beat frequency was analysed using a high-speed camera on a computer imaging system.
Results:
Undiluted 10 per cent Betadine (n = 6) decreased the proportion of actively beating cilia over 1 minute (p < 0.01). Ciliary beat frequency decreased from 11.15 ± 4.64 Hz to no detectable activity. The result was similar with 5 per cent Betadine (n = 7), with no significant difference compared with the 10 per cent solution findings.
Conclusion:
Betadine, at either 5 and 10 per cent, was ciliotoxic. Caution should be applied to the use of topical Betadine solution on the respiratory mucosal surface.
