A method for evaluating the effect of pharmacological substances on mucociliary activity in vivo

A test model for in vivo studies of the effect of pharmacological substances on mucociliary activity in the rabbit maxillary sinus is presented. The method permits administration of pharmacological substances and recording of the mucociliary activity under conditions that mimic the physiological situation very closely. The test substances are given intra-arterially. Using a photoelectric technique the mucociliary activity is recorded from a small and limited area of the mucous membrane. There is minimal exposure to external stimuli since normal sinus ventilation is retained. Various factors which may influence the results, e.g. the anesthesia, movements from cardiac and respiratory activity, and the volumes and injection velocities of test doses, are analysed and discussed. When the animal model was tested with serotonin, ATP, and certain cholinergic and adrenergic agents, it was found to be reliable. It permitted easy detection of changes in the mucociliary activity and gave reproducible results.