Role of mucociliary clearance system in respiratory diseases / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Mucociliary clearance system is the primary innate defense mechanism of the lung. It plays a vital role in protecting airways from microbes and irritants infection. Mucociliary clearance system, which is mediated by the actions of airway and submucosal gland epithelial cells, plays a critical role in a multilayered defense system via secreting fluids, electrolytes, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory proteins, and mucus onto airway surfaces. Changes in environment, drugs or diseases can lead to mucus overproduction and cilia dysfunction, which in turn decrease the rate of mucociliary clearance and enhance mucus gathering. The dysfunction of mucociliary clearance system often occurs in several respiratory diseases, such as primary ciliary dysfunction, cystic fibrosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which are characterized by goblet cell metaplasia, submucosal gland cell hypertrophy, mucus hypersecretion, cilia adhesion, lodging and loss, and airway obstruction.

Yifei Jianpi recipe improves cigarette smoke-induced inflammatory injury and mucus hypersecretion in human bronchial epithelial cells by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism of Yifei Jianpi recipe for improving cigarette smoke- induced inflammatory injury and mucus hypersecretion in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells.@*METHODS@#Serum samples were collected from 40 SD rats treated with Yifei Jianpi recipe (n=20) or normal saline (n=20) by gavage. Cultured human bronchial epithelial 16HBE cells were stimulated with an aqueous cigarette smoke extract (CSE), followed by treatment with the collected serum at different dilutions. The optimal concentration and treatment time of CSE and the medicated serum for cell treatment were determined with CCK-8 assay. The expressions of TLR4, NF-κB, MUC5AC, MUC7, and muc8 at both the mRNA and protein levels in the treated cells were examined with RT- qPCR and Western blotting, and the effects of TLR4 gene silencing and overexpression on their expressions were assessed. The expressions of TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6 and IL-8 in the cells were detected using ELISA.@*RESULTS@#At the optimal concentration of 20%, treatment with the medicated serum for 24 h significantly lowered the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, NF- κB, MUC5AC, MUC7, and MUC8 in CSE- exposed 16HBE cells, and these effects were further enhanced by TLR4 silencing in the cells. In 16HBE cells with TLR4 overexpression, the expressions of TLR4, NF-κB, MUC5AC, MUC7, and MUC8 were significantly increased after CSE exposure and were lowered following treatment with the medicated serum (P < 0.05). The medicated serum also significantly lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in CSE-exposed 16HBE cells (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In the 16HBE cell model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), treatment with Yifei Jianpi recipe-medicated serum improves inflammation and mucus hypersecretion possibly by reducing MUC secretion and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Antagonistic Effects of N-acetylcysteine on Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway Activation, Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses in Rats with PM2.5 Induced Lung Injuries / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To evaluate the antagonistic effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway activation, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in rats with lung injury induced by fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Methods Forty eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: blank control group (C1), water drip control group (C2), PM2.5 exposed group (P), low-dose NAC treated and PM2.5 exposed group (L), middle-dose NAC treated and PM2.5 exposed group (M), and high-dose NAC treated and PM2.5 exposed group (H). PM2.5 suspension (7.5 mg/kg) was administered tracheally once a week for four times. NAC of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg was delivered intragastrically to L, M and H group respectively by gavage (10 ml/kg) for six days before PM2.5 exposure. The histopathological changes and human mucin 5 subtype AC (MUC5AC) content in lung tissue of rats were evaluated. We investigated IL-6 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), MUC5AC in lung tissue homogenate by ELISA, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in serum and BALF by spectrophotometry, and the expression of p-ERK1/2, p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 proteins by Western blot. All the measurements were analyzed and compared statistically. Results Lung tissue of rats exposed to PM2.5 showed histological destruction and increased mucus secretion of bronchial epithelial cells. Rats receiving NAC treatment showed less histological destruction and mucus secretion. Of P, L, M and H group, MUC5AC in lung tissue, IL-6 in serum and BALF were higher than controls (C1 and C2) (all P<0.05), with the highest levels found in the P group and a decreasing trend with increase of NAC dose. The activity of GSH-PX in serum and BALF of PM2.5 exposed rats (P, L, M and H) was lower than that of controls (all P<0.05), with higher activities found in NAC treated rats (L, M, and H), and an increasing trend with increase of NAC dose. The expressions of p-ERK1/2, p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 proteins in PM2.5 exposed lung tissue (P, L, M and H) was higher than controls (all P<0.05), with decreased levels and dose dependent downregulation found in NAC treated rats. Conclusion NAC can antagonize major MAPK pathway activation, lung oxidative stress and inflammatory injury induced by PM2.5 in rats.

Nasal mucociliary transportability of male and female smokers / Transportabilidade mucociliar nasal de homens e mulheres tabagistas

Abstract Introduction: Female smoker's present increased susceptibility to several diseases when compared to the opposite gender. However, there are no studies showing differences in nasal mucociliary transport behavior between male and female smokers. Objective: To compare the nasal mucociliary transportability in male and female smokers and non-smokers, taking into consideration age, anthropometric data, smoking load and pulmonary function. Methods: The analysis included 139 individuals (33 men and 37 women smokers and 32 men and 37 women non-smokers). All participants answered an initial interview to obtain personal data and smoking load. Anthropometric data and carbon monoxide in the exhaled air were assessed. Individuals also performed pulmonary function test and Saccharin Transit Time test. To compare saccharin transit time values between men and women, smokers and non-smokers, stratification of all independent variables was performed (sociodemographic, smoking and respiratory variables) into two categories: below and above the median values. Results: There was no difference between men and women, smokers and non-smokers, regarding nasal mucociliary transportability. Significant differences were only observed between non-smokers. Among those with less forced vital capacity values (<97.37% of predicted), women presented mucociliary transport faster than men. Moreover, it was observed influence of BMI and COex (women smokers), FCV and FEV1 (men non-smokers) and FEF25-75% (women non-smokers) on saccharin transit time values. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, nasal mucociliary transport in male and female adult smokers, apparently healthy, are similar.

Resumo Introdução: Mulheres tabagistas apresentam maior susceptibilidade à diversas doenças quando comparadas ao sexo masculino. No entanto, não há estudos mostrando diferenças no comportamento do transporte mucociliar nasal entre tabagistas do sexo masculino e feminino. Objetivo: Comparar a transportabilidade mucociliar nasal em homens e mulheres fumantes e não fumantes, levando em consideração idade, dados antropométricos, carga tabágica e função pulmonar. Método: A análise incluiu 139 indivíduos (33 homens e 37 mulheres fumantes e 32 homens e 37 mulheres não fumantes). Todos os participantes responderam a uma entrevista inicial para a obtenção de dados pessoais e a carga tabágica. Dados antropométricos e monóxido de carbono no ar expirado foram avaliados. Os indivíduos também fizeram teste de função pulmonar e o teste de trânsito de sacarina. Para comparar os valores do teste de trânsito de sacarina entre homens e mulheres, fumantes e não fumantes, foi feita a estratificação de todas as variáveis independentes (variáveis sociodemográficas, tabágicas e respiratórias) em duas categorias: abaixo e acima dos valores médios. Resultados: Não houve diferenças entre homens e mulheres, fumantes e não fumantes, em relação à transportabilidade mucociliar nasal. Diferenças significativas foram observadas apenas entre não fumantes. Entre os que apresentaram valores menores de capacidade vital forçada (< 97,37% do previsto), as mulheres apresentaram transporte mucociliar mais rápido do que os homens. Além disso, observou-se influência do IMC e COex (mulheres fumantes), CVF e VEF1 (homens não fumantes) e FEF25%-75% (mulheres não fumantes) sobre os valores do teste de trânsito de sacarina. Conclusão: Com base nos achados deste estudo, o transporte mucociliar nasal em tabagistas masculinos e femininos adultos, aparentemente saudáveis, são semelhantes.

Epidemiological survey of mucus extravasation phenomenon at an oral pathology referral center during a 43 year period / Levantamento epidemiológico de fenômeno de extravasamento de muco de um centro de referência em patologia oral por um período de 43 anos

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Mucoceles are common benign pseudocystic lesions of the oral cavity; their main etiological factors are trauma and ductal obstruction. Two histological patterns are found: mucus retention phenomenon (MRP) and mucus extravasation phenomenon (MEP). Mucus extravasation phenomenon is the more common histological subtype and it mainly affects the lower lip. The knowledge of its main clinical features and management is important to assist health professionals in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relative frequency and distribution of oral mucoceles in an oral pathology reference center. METHODS: Cross-sectional historical study that analyzed all cases pathologically diagnosed as mucus extravasation phenomenon by the department of anatomic pathology of an oral pathology referral center from June of 1970 to May of 2014, considering the clinical characteristics of the lesion and those relating to the patient. SPSS v. 20.0 software for Windows was used for descriptive analysis. RESULTS: During 43 years, 719 cases of mucus extravasation phenomenon (54.7% men and 45.3% women) were registered, with the lower lip as the most commonly affected site (n = 484; 67.3%). The average age of patients was 20.8 years (SD ± 14.4) with a peak occurrence in the second decade of life. Most professionals had oral mucocele/ranula (n = 606; 84.3%) as the initial clinical impression. CONCLUSION: Mucus extravasation phenomenon is a lesion that primarily affects young patients, affecting mainly the lower lip, and is commonly found in oral diagnostic services.

Resumo Introdução: Mucoceles são lesões pseudocísticas benignas comuns da cavidade oral, que possuem como principais fatores etiológicos trauma ou obstrução ductal. Dois padrões histopatológicos são encontrados: fenômeno de retenção de muco (FRM) e fenômeno de extravasamento de muco (FEM). O FEM é o subtipo histológico mais comum e tem como principal local de acometimento o lábio inferior. O conhecimento acerca de suas principais características clínicas e formas de tratamento se faz importante para auxiliar profissionais da saúde na prática clínica. Objetivo: Este trabalho objetivou determinar a frequência relativa e a distribuição das mucoceles orais em um centro de referência em patologia oral. Método: Estudo transversal de caráter histórico, no qual foram analisados os casos diagnosticados histopatologicamente como FEM pelo serviço de anatomia patológica de um centro de referência em patologia oral no período de junho de 1970 a maio de 2014, considerando-se variáveis clínicas da lesão e relativas ao paciente. O programa estatístico SPSS 20.0 for Windows foi utilizado para a análise descritiva dos dados. Resultados: Durante 43 anos foram observados 719 casos de FEM (54,7% homens e 45,3% mulheres), sendo o lábio inferior (n = 484; 67,3%) o local de principal acometimento. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 20,8 anos (DP ± 14,4), com pico de ocorrência na segunda década de vida. A maioria dos profissionais teve mucocele oral/rânula (n = 606; 84,3%) como primeira hipótese clínica. Conclusão: O FEM é uma lesão que afeta principalmente pacientes jovens, acometendo preferencialmente o lábio inferior, sendo comumente encontrada nos serviços de diagnóstico oral.

A Case of Menetrier's Disease Showing Mucus Bridge Observed during Endoscopy / 대한소화기학회지

Menetrier's disease is a rare entity characterized by large, tortuous gastric mucosal folds. The mucosal folds in Menetrier's disease are often most prominent in the body and fundus. Histologically, massive foveolar hyperplasia (hyperplasia of surface and glandular mucous cells) is noted, which replaces most of the chief and parietal cells. Profuse mucus is usually observed during the endoscopy but there have been few cases that show interesting endoscopic findings such as mucus bridge or water pearl. Herein, we report a case of Menetrier's disease showing mucus bridge by excessive mucus observed during the endoscopy.

Efeitos da tosse manualmente assistida sobre a mecânica do sistema respiratório de pacientes em suporte ventilatório total / Effects of manually assisted coughing on respiratory mechanics in patients requiring full ventilatory support

OBJETIVO: A tosse manualmente assistida (TMA) consiste na compressão vigorosa do tórax no início da expiração espontânea ou da fase expiratória da ventilação mecânica. Tendo em vista a utilização rotineira da TMA na unidade de terapia intensiva, a proposta deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos dessa técnica no comportamento da mecânica do sistema respiratório de pacientes submetidos a suporte ventilatório total. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 16 pacientes intubados, sedados e submetidos à ventilação mecânica controlada, sem participação interativa com o ventilador. A mecânica do sistema respiratório e a saturação periférica de oxigênio foram mensuradas antes e após a aplicação de TMA e após a aspiração traqueal. Foram realizadas 10 aplicações bilaterais da técnica por paciente, com intervalos de 3 ciclos respiratórios entre cada aplicação. RESULTADOS: Os dados evidenciaram a diminuição da pressão resistiva e da resistência do sistema respiratório e aumento da saturação periférica de oxigênio após a aplicação da TMA associada à aspiração traqueal. Não foram evidenciadas alterações das pressões de pico, platô e complacência do sistema respiratório após a aplicação da TMA. CONCLUSÕES: A TMA foi capaz de alterar a mecânica do sistema respiratório, mais especificamente aumentando as forças resistivas através do deslocamento de secreção. A técnica pode ser considerada eficaz e segura para pacientes em pós-operatório imediato. A associação entre TMA e aspiração traqueal mostrou-se benéfica, alcançando os objetivos propostos: deslocamento e remoção de secreção das vias aéreas.

OBJECTIVE: Manually assisted coughing (MAC) consists of a vigorous thrust applied to the chest at the beginning of a spontaneous expiration or of the expiratory phase of mechanical ventilation. Due to routine use of MAC in intensive care units, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of MAC on respiratory system mechanics in patients requiring full ventilatory support. METHODS: We assessed 16 sedated patients on full ventilatory support (no active participation in ventilation). Respiratory system mechanics and oxyhemoglobin saturation were measured before and after MAC, as well as after endotracheal aspiration. Bilateral MAC was performed ten times on each patient, with three respiratory cycle intervals between each application. RESULTS: Data analysis demonstrated a decrease in resistive pressure and respiratory system resistance, together with an increase in oxyhemoglobin saturation, after MAC combined with endotracheal aspiration. No evidence of alterations in peak pressures, plateau pressures or respiratory system compliance change was observed after MAC. CONCLUSIONS: The use of MAC alters respiratory system mechanics, increasing resistive forces by removing secretions. The technique is considered safe and efficacious for postoperative patients. Using MAC in conjunction with endotracheal aspiration provided benefits, achieving the proposed objective: the displacement and removal of airway secretions.

Modulation of gastric mucosal mast cell population: role of vestibulo cerebellar lesion.

Posterior cerebellar lesion induced severe focal inflammatory ulcers at the stomach associated with extensive damage of the surface epithelial cells, leading to focal necrotic ulcers. The ulcer index increased maximally and progressively between day 7 and day 14 after lesion. The total mucosal mast cell and degranulated mucosal mast cell increased maximally on day 7 and progressively declined from day 14 to day 21. Gastric histamine content was also significantly increased on day 7 and 14. A significant reduction in mucous content (total CHO:P) was observed within 7-28 days after lesion. The results suggest that the gastric mucosal mast cells play an important role in ulcerogenesis induced by cerebellar lesion.

The effects of low dose leukotriene receptor antagonist therapy on airway remodeling and cysteinyl leukotriene expression in a mouse asthma model

Airway structural changes that occur in patients with asthma in response to persistent inflammation are termed airway remodeling. The cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTC4, D4 and E4) are known to play important roles in the pathobiology of asthma. To evaluate the effect of low dose montelukast (MK) on the development of airway remodeling using a chronic murine model of allergic airway inflammation with subepithelial fibrosis, BALB/c mice, after intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization on days 0 and 14, received intranasal OVA periodically on days 14-75. MK treated mice received montelukast sodium intraperitoneally on days 26-75. The OVA sensitized/challenged mice developed an extensive eosinophil cell inflammatory response, goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus occlusion, and smooth muscle hypertrophy of the airways. In addition, in OVA sensitized/challenged mice, dense collagen deposition/fibrosis was seen throughout the lung interstitium surrounding the airways, blood vessels, and alveolar septae. The cysteinyl leukotriene 1 (CysLT1) receptor antagonist, MK significantly reduced the airway eosinophil infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus occlusion, and lung fibrosis except airway smooth muscle hypertrophy in the OVA sensitized/challenged mice. The OVA sensitized/challenged mice had significantly increased epithelial desquamation compared with control mice. MK markedly reduced epithelial desquamation of airways in OVA/MK treated animals compared with OVA sensitized/challenged mice. MK treatment did not affect the levels of CysLT in lung tissue. Our results show that the important role of cysteinyl leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of asthma. Lower dose of CysLT1 receptor antagonism has a significant anti-inflammatory effect on allergen-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis but not airway smooth muscle hypertrophy in an animal model of asthma.

Effects of glucocorticoid on IL-13-induced Muc5ac expression in airways of mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the effects of glucocorticoid on the IL-13-induced Muc5ac expression in airways of mice, and investigate its role in mucus secretion of airways, 24 pathogen-free BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups. IL-13 group received an nasal instillation of 100 microg of recombinant murine IL-13 solution on days 1, 3 and 5. In dexamethasone group, dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 24 h before and 1 h before the first instillation of IL-13 and on 4 consecutive days (day 0 to day 5, 6 consecutive days in total), while control group was not treated with IL-13 or dexamethasone. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and eosinophils were counted, and expression of Muc5ac mRNA and protein in lungs were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology and immunohistochemical assay respectively. Our results showed that the number of mice, with positve Muc5ac protein expression, expression of Muc5ac mRNA and eosinophils in BALF after IL-13 treatment were all significantly higher than that of control group (all P<0.01). Despite eosinophils reduced (P<0.01), the number of mice with positive Muc5ac protein expression, expression of Muc5ac mRNA afterdexamethasone treatment didn't decreas significantly as compared with that of IL-13 group. It is concluded that IL-13 can up-regulate the expression of Muc5ac mRNA and protein, which may play a pivotal role in the mucus overproduction of airways. Dexamethasone can suppress IL-13-induced eosinophilic infiltration in lung but can't inhibit the mucus overproduction.

Goblet cell number in the ileum of rats denervated during suckling and weaning

The enteric nervous system plays a role on the stimulation of secretory cells of intestinal epithelia. We have demonstrated that ablation of ENS stimulates epithelial cell proliferation. As goblet cells are important constituents of the epithelial sheet, it is mandatory to investigate separately this cell type. The myenteric plexus of the ileum of rats in postnatal development was partially removed by the serosal application of benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Three groups of animals were used: those where BAC application was at 13 days and sacrifice was at 15 (13/28-day-old) or 23 days after treatment (13/36-day-old), and those where BAC was applied at 21 days and rats were killed 15 days after treatment (21/36-day-old) . The number of goblet cells in the ileum was estimated in sections stained by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) histochemistry. In the 13/28 and 21/36 groups, the number of goblet cells was significantly higher after BAC treatment. These results suggest that the myenteric denervation may have an acute effect on the number of goblet cell in suckling and weanling rats, probably through submucous plexus.

Histochemistry of Six Lectins in the Tissues of the Flat Fish Paralichthys olivaceus

Lectins are glycoproteins that specifically bind carbohydrate structures and may participate in the biodefense mechanisms of fish. In this study, the binding of three lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA) and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I) were studied in the gill, liver, intestine, kidney, heart, and spleen of the flat fish Paralichthys olivaceus. DBA was detected in intestinal mucous cells, as well as in gill epithelial and mucous cells. It was weakly detected in renal tubule epithelial cells and in bile duct epithelial cells. The strong SBA staining was seen in the intestinal club cells, in bile duct epithelial cells and renal tubule epithelial cells. There were intense positive reactions for isolectin B4 in gill epithelial and mucous cells, and the strong isolectin B4 staining was seen in epithelial cells of the bile duct and intestine. The strong WGA staining was seen in the gill mucosal cells, sinusoid, renal tubule epithelial cells and mucosal cells of the intestine. UEA-I was detected in the gill epithelial and mucosal cells, bile duct epithelial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells. These results suggest that the six lectins examined were localized in the covering epithelia of the various organs of the flat fish and they may participate in the biodefense mechanism of the intra body surface in which is exposed to various antigens.

Thioctic acid protection against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions involves sulfhydryl and prostagladin participation

Thioctic acid, a sulfhydryl agent, given orally macroscopically protected the gastric mucosa from 96 percent ethanol-induced lesions in a dose-and time dependent fashion. The inhibition of the lesions was 56.0 and 90.3 percent at doses of 25 and 50 mg/Kg, respectively. The duration of its protective effect was appoximately 120 minutes. Histopathologically, the oral administration of thioctic acid prevented necrotic mucosal lesions in the deeper part of the mucosa but did not protect the surface epithelial cells against ethanol challenge. Gastric motility measured by a ballon method, was dose-dependently inhibited by the oral administration of thioctic acid. Thioctic acid protection was suppressed by pretreatment with indomethacin (30 mg/Kg), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and iodoacetamide (100 mg/Kg), a sulfhydryl bloker. The gastric motility inhibited by oral thioctic acid was not reversed by indomethacin or iodoacetamide. These doses of indomethacin or iodomethamide were administered because previously they had been used to suppress endogenous prostagladins, and nonprotein sulfhydryls of the gastric mucosa, respectively. There was an increase in the fluid volume retained in the gastric lumen for thioctic acid (50 mg/Kg) at 30,60,90, and 120 minutes after administration. There was an increase in the mucus volume retained in the gastric lumen for thioctic acid (50, 25 mg/Kg) at 120 minutes after administration. The lesion area in the rats treated with 70 mul of vehicle and in the rats treated with 250 mul of vehicle were significantly higher than in the rats treated with 450 mul of vehicle. The present study suggests that thioctic acid administered orally, affered protection to the rat gastric mucosa against 96 percent ethanol-induced lesions. This protective effect appears to be dependent on prostagladin-and sulfhydryl-sensitive mechanisms, together with an increase in both the fluid volume and the mucus volume retained in the gastric lumen, and is not associated with the inhibition of gastric motor activity.

Mecanismos de defesa da bile / Defense mechanisms of the bile

Nesta revisao sao explicados cada um dos quatro mecanismos de defesa da bile contra a infecçao por microorganismos patógenos, bem como suas açoes integradas. Nesse contexto, incluem-se as barreiras anatômicas (complexos unitivos e esfíncter de Oddid), os mecanismos físicos (fluxo biliar e muco), os fatores químicos (sais biliares) e os mecanismos imunológicos (células de Kupffer e imunoglobulina A secretada). A quebra do funcionamento harmônico desses mecanismos pode levar a sérias infecçoes. Nesse sentido, o aumento da pressao intra-biliar (causada por obstruçao parcial ou completa do fluxo biliar) e doenças do parênquima hepático desempenham papel fundamental. Dessa forma, confirma-se a importância da preservaçao desses mecanismos de defesa no indivíduo saudável.

Nasal mucociliary clearance & mucus pH in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) time and nasal mucus pH were studied in 50 patients suffering from diabetes mellitus and in a group of 50 healthy non-smokers and non-alcoholic controls. NMC time and pH values were found to be significantly increased in diabetics (NMC = 18.02 +/- 5.08 and pH = 7.96 +/- 0.75) as compared to controls (NMC = 7.49 +/- 1.06 and pH 6.43 +/- 0.67). The increase in NMC and pH was much more in patients having insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (NMC - 20.87 +/- 4.71 and pH -8.38 +/- 0.56) than in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (NMC - 15.16 +/- 3.67 and pH -7.53 +/- 0.687) and also when the duration of disease was more than 10 yr (NMC - 22.36 +/- 4.36 and pH -8.47 +/- 0.607). This impairment was attributed to osmotic diuresis with loss of water and electrolytes from all parts of the body and also small vessel abnormalities encountered in diabetes.

Morfologia e histoquímica de glicogênio e mucossubstâncias na próstata e glândulas bulbo-uretrais de Marmosa cinerea Temminck, 1824 (Marsupialia - Didelphidae) / Morphology, glycogen and mucosubstances histochemistry of the prostate and bulbo-urethral glands of the Marmosa cinerea Temminck, 1824 (Marsupialia - Didelphidae)

Sao descritos os aspectos histológicos e a distribuiçao de glicogênio e mucossubstâncias na próstata e nos três pares de glândulas bulbo-uretrais (Cowper) de Marmosa cinerea, marsupial Didelphidae com ampla distribuiçao geográfica no Brasil. Os três segmentos prostáticos, cranial, médio e caudal, apresentam túbulos secretores disseminados na mucosa uretral e sao divididos em zonas externa, média e interna, de acordo com as características morfológicas e tintoriais do epitélio secretor. No segmento cranial, o epitélio secreta glicogênio e mucossubstâncias neutras. No segmento médio sao produzidas mucossubstâncias neutras e sialomucinas, sendo sugerido um mecanismo apócrino de secreçao neste segmento. O epitélio do segmento caudal produz glicogênio, mucossubstâncias neutras e proteínas. O par lateral de bulbo-uretrais é formado por túbulos secretores longos e ramificados, que produzem mucossubstâncias neutras. O par intermédio constitui-se de túbulo-ácinos revestidos por células com porçao apical expandida e que secretam mucossubstâncias neutras, sialomucinas e sulfomucinas. Os túbulo-ácinos do par medial sao tortuosos e suas células produzem mucossubstâncias neutras.

Aspectos citoquímicos dos mucocitos de glândulas linguais de bufo ictericus, spix 1824 (amphibia, anura) / Cytochemical aspectos of the mucocytes of lingual glands of bufo ictericus, spix 1824 (Amphibia, anura)

Aplicando métodos citoquímicos para carboidratos nas glândulas "tubuloalveolares", localizadas na regiao posterior da lingua de Bufo ictericus, foi possível caracterizar como mucina neutra o produto de secreçao dos mucocitos destas glândulas.

Effect of bromhexine on nasal mucus clearance in chronic maxillary sinusitis.

Nasal mucus clearance (NMC) was studied in seventy patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis. Forty-five patients were treated with oral administration of bromhexine tablets along with oral antibiotics and nasal decongestants. Twenty-five patients received the same treatment but without bromhexine to evaluate the results. NMC was also studied in hundred healthy controls.