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Relations between blood flow and mucociliary activity in the rabbit maxillary sinus
A Cervin1, M Bende, S Lindberg
1Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|March 1, 1988
Summary
Alpha 2-agonists like xylometazoline decrease mucociliary activity in rabbit sinuses, but not due to reduced blood flow. Alpha 1-agonists like phenylpropanolamine do not affect mucociliary activity.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Sympathomimetic drugs affect physiological processes.
- Mucociliary activity is crucial for sinus health.
- Understanding drug effects on sinus physiology is important for treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of specific sympathomimetic drugs on rabbit maxillary sinus mucociliary activity and mucosal blood flow.
- Differentiate the effects of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic agonists.
- Determine if reduced blood flow mediates the effects on mucociliary activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized photo-electric technique for mucociliary activity assessment.
- Employed laser Doppler flowmetry to measure mucosal blood flow.
- Compared drug effects with external carotid artery ligation in rabbits.
Main Results:
- Phenylpropanolamine (alpha 1-agonist) did not affect mucociliary activity but reduced blood flow at high doses.
- Xylometazoline (alpha 2-agonist) decreased mucociliary wave frequency and significantly reduced blood flow.
- External carotid artery ligation reduced blood flow but did not significantly impact mucociliary activity.
Conclusions:
- Alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists impair mucociliary activity in the rabbit maxillary sinus.
- The observed decrease in mucociliary activity by alpha 2-agonists is independent of reduced mucosal blood flow.
- Findings suggest a direct effect of alpha 2-agonists on mucociliary mechanisms, not solely mediated by vascular changes.