[Cyclic activity of the nasal mucosa: relationship between muco-ciliary transport and local production of secretory immunoglobulin].

The aim of the present work has been to study the existence, presumed on the basis of recollection, of a correlation between circadian changes in SIgA concentrations in nasal secretum and the M.C.T. rate throughout the day. In order to reconfirm previously obtained data, again in this case a fluctuation in SIgA concentration was studied, finding peak values at 4 a.m. and the lowest at 10 a.m. Circadian changes were also witnessed between M.C.T. times, thus making it possible to reveal further information regarding cyclic activity of the nasal mucosa. Comparison of these two parameters showed an inverse rate; in fact, when the SIgA concentration increases the muco-ciliary transport rate decreases and vice versa. In other words, the muco-ciliary transport time is more efficient when the production of secretory immunoglobulins by the nasal mucosa is lower, as though a temporary lack in nasal defense is made up for by simultaneous improvement of the other activity.