Effects of Orally Administered Drugs on Dynamic Viscoelasticity of Human Nasal Mucus

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of orally administered drugs on rheologic properties of nasal mucus were investigated in adult chronic sinusitis patients. The elastic modulus G'' and the dynamic viscosity .eta.'' of nasal mucus were determined by an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer. Both G'' and .eta.'' values of the mucus before drug administration were much higher than optimal viscoelasticity for mucocillary transport. Norfloxacin, an antibacterial agent, reduced the G'' but not the .eta.'' of nasal mucus. Serratiopeptidase, a proteolytic enzyme, reduced .eta.'' but not reduce G''. S-carboxymethylcysteine, a blocked thiol derivative of cysteine, did not change either G'' or .eta.''. L-cysteine ethyl ester hydrochloride, a sulfhydryl type of agent, reduced both G'' and .eta.''. The results indicate that some of the orally administered mucokinetic agents can improve the abnormal rheologic properties of nasal mucus in chronic sinusitis.