Human tracheobronchial deposition and effect of two cholinergic aerosols

The effects of two methacholine aerosols with mass median diameters congruent to 7 and 3 microns were measured in 10 healthy subjects. The concentrations of the two aerosols were increased until forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decreased with about 20%. Pulmonary fraction (FEV1, FVC, FEV25-75%, FEF75-85%, R(aw), and phase III of single breath O2 test) and deposition of 3.6-microns radiolabeled Teflon particles were studied before and after bronchial challenge with the two aerosols. Output from the nebulizers and size distribution were measured and from these data and from data on deposition of Teflon particles from this and seven earlier studies the doses of the two methacholine aerosols to the tracheobronchial region were calculated. The changes in all pulmonary function parameters and deposition of 3.6-microns particles were similar for the two aerosols. The calculated dose for the aerosol with the large particles was 3-4 times higher than that with the smaller particles. The results indicate greater effect of a certain dose to the tracheobronchial part of the lung if the mass is spread on many small particles than on fewer large ones.