EFFECT OF LOCAL RADIOACTIVITY ON TRACHEAL MUCOUS VELOCITY OF SHEEP

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Abstract
X-ray radiation from fluoroscopy equivalent to that used to determine tracheal mucous velocity in intact animals (.apprxeq. 3 min) did not alter transport of teflon discs in an isolated sheep tracheal preparation. In conscious sheep, 2 ml of a solution containing 8 mCi of macroaggregates of albumin labeled with 99mTc and 99mTc-pyrophosphate were instilled under direct vision into the trachea via a fiberoptic bronchoscope, providing an actual deposition on the tracheal epithelium of 1.8 to 2 mCi. Physiologic saline and unlabeled macroaggregates of albumin were instilled as control solutions. Tracheal mucous velocity measured by movement of teflon discs increased by 93.2% with 99mTc-labeled macroaggregated albumin and 86.7% with 99mTc-pyrophosphate (P < 0.01), but no significant increase occurred after saline or unlabeled macroaggregates of albumin. Discrepancies in the values of tracheal mucous velocity determined using inert particles and radioactive tracer solution or aerosols might be related in part to the local effects of the tracer radiation.