Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

In vivo Evaluation of Mucociliary Clearance in Mice
Published on: December 18, 2020
Influence of age on bronchial mucociliary transport
Abstract:
Mucociliary clearance was measured in 19 healthy non-smoking male subjects, aged between 21 and 69, by analysing the decrease in bronchial radioactivity of an aerosol of resin particles (mean diameter 7.4 +/- 1.5 micrometers) labelled with 99mTc. The mucociliary clearance was expressed as the percentage of radioactivity eliminated after 1 h. The measurements were made on two occasions with an average time lapse of 5 weeks. The intra- and inter-individual coefficients of variation were 15.6% and 41.5% respectively. The mucociliary clearance was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) (mean 21.8 +/- s.d. 7.8%) in the older subjects (greater than 54 years) than that observed (mean 34.1 +/- s.d. 14.1%) in the younger subjects (21 to 37 years). A significant negative correlation (r=-0.472, P less than 0.05) was obtained between the ages of the healthy subjects and their mucociliary clearance. However, the fact that the results varied considerably within each age group suggests that factors other than age may have an effect on the mucociliary clearance.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Respiration
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

