The Mechanism of Methacholine Induced Ciliostimulation: The Relationship with Cyclooxygenase Pathway and Nitric Oxide / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mucociliary movement of respiratory ciliated epithelium is one of important protective mechanisms in the upper respiratory airway. It is well known that methacholine induces a ciliostimulation. This study designed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of methacholine induced ciliostimulation. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We investigated in vitro effect of methacholine, a beta-methyl ester of acetylcholine, and nitric oxide on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of nasal septal mucosa of SD rat. CBF was measured using a video computerized analysis system. RESULTS: Methacholine (10(-6) mol/L) increased CBF upto 6 hours with a maximum increase of 44%. Diclofenac inhibited the ciliostimulatory effect of methacholine completely. LNAME inhibited the increase in CBF by methacholine significantly (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that ciliostimulatory effects by methacholine in airway epithelium involves prostaglandin pathway and may be regulated by nitric oxide.