[Mucociliary function and its alteration by certain irritants (author's transl)].

Mucociliary clearance is usually estimated in vivo by the measurement of mucus transfer or by clearance of radio-active tracers previously deposited in the airways. These methods are relatively difficult and complex so that for routine studies measures are usually made of ciliary activity. To clarify the consequences of changes in activity the authors have established the relationship between the speed of mucus transport and the frequency of ciliary beating. From their own studies and from evidence in the literature they show how the clearance function of mucociliary activity can be disturbed by a fall in temperature and humidity, by viral infection, by atmospheric pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and aldehydes and by tobacco smoking. They indicate the beneficial effects obtained by the administration of beta adrenergic compounds and the limits of efficiency of mucolytic agents. They examined the pathophysiological consequences of the slowing down or arrest of mucus drainage with particular reference to the proliferation of infectious agents and their penetration into respiratory mucus membranes.