[Method of photometric measurement of ciliary beat frequency from human tracheobronchial epithelium (author's transl)].

A method of photometric measurement of ciliary beat frequency is described. Brush biopsies of human bronchial epithelium were obtained. Twenty healthy persons were investigated, sampling brush biopsies from trachea, main bronchus and segmental bronchus. Ciliary beat frequency was measured over a period of time at 37 degrees C as well as under increasing temperature from 20 degrees C to 40 degrees C. Mean ciliary beat frequency in the trachea is 12.5 Hz +/- 2.8 at 37 degrees C, slightly increasing ciliary beat frequency towards the periphery of the bronchial tree. Ciliary beat frequency found at 20 degrees C is almost exactly half the frequency found at 37 degrees C. When rising the temperature from 30 degrees C to 40 degrees C, ciliary beat frequency increases nearly in a linear line. A well reproducible method is used to measure ciliary beat frequency in vitro under different conditions.