Biomaterial Database

The effects of ethanol on mucociliary clearance. 1985

G J Leitch, and L H Frid, and D Phoenix

Mucociliary clearance by the in vitro frog palate can be used as a model to study such clearance by mammalian lung. Frog palates bathed in Ringer's solution exhibited a constant mucociliary clearance rate for over 2 hr. When the bathing solution was exchanged for one containing ethanol, the mucociliary clearance rate was detectably inhibited by 300 mg/100 ml (mg%) ethanol and significantly inhibited by 400 (50%) and 500 mg% (67%) ethanol. At a concentration of 500 but not 200 mg%, ethanol significantly increased both the amount and the apparent viscosity of the frog palate mucus secreted in 1 hr. Mucus removed from palates bathed in Ringer's solution containing 500 mg% ethanol had no effect on the mucociliary clearance of palates bathed in Ringer's solution alone, and mucus from palates bathed in Ringer's solution alone failed to restore the mucociliary clearance of palates bathed in Ringer's solution containing 500 mg% ethanol. These results suggest that while mucus secretion and rheology are affected by ethanol, such changes in palate mucus do not account for the ethanol-induced inhibition of mucociliary clearance, but rather that the inhibition is the result of a ciliotoxic action of ethanol. Prior exposure of palates to histamine significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of 500 mg% ethanol on mucociliary clearance, while 200 mg% ethanol significantly potentiated the inhibitory effect of dopamine. It is concluded that the neurohumoral environment of the ciliated epithelium in part determines the effect a given concentration of ethanol will have on mucociliary clearance.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009093	Mucus	The viscous secretion of mucous membranes. It contains mucin, white blood cells, water, inorganic salts, and exfoliated cells.
D010159	Palate	The structure that forms the roof of the mouth. It consists of the anterior hard palate (PALATE, HARD) and the posterior soft palate (PALATE, SOFT).	Incisive Papilla,Incisive Papillas,Palates,Papilla, Incisive,Papillas, Incisive
D011894	Rana pipiens	A highly variable species of the family Ranidae in Canada, the United States and Central America. It is the most widely used Anuran in biomedical research.	Frog, Leopard,Leopard Frog,Lithobates pipiens,Frogs, Leopard,Leopard Frogs
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D002923	Cilia	Populations of thin, motile processes found covering the surface of ciliates (CILIOPHORA) or the free surface of the cells making up ciliated EPITHELIUM. Each cilium arises from a basic granule in the superficial layer of CYTOPLASM. The movement of cilia propels ciliates through the liquid in which they live. The movement of cilia on a ciliated epithelium serves to propel a surface layer of mucus or fluid. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Motile Cilia,Motile Cilium,Nodal Cilia,Nodal Cilium,Primary Cilia,Primary Cilium,Cilium,Cilia, Motile,Cilia, Nodal,Cilia, Primary,Cilium, Motile,Cilium, Nodal,Cilium, Primary
D003864	Depression, Chemical	The decrease in a measurable parameter of a PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS, including cellular, microbial, and plant; immunological, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, urinary, digestive, neural, musculoskeletal, ocular, and skin physiological processes; or METABOLIC PROCESS, including enzymatic and other pharmacological processes, by a drug or other chemical.	Chemical Depression,Chemical Depressions,Depressions, Chemical
D006632	Histamine	An amine derived by enzymatic decarboxylation of HISTIDINE. It is a powerful stimulant of gastric secretion, a constrictor of bronchial smooth muscle, a vasodilator, and also a centrally acting neurotransmitter.	Ceplene,Histamine Dihydrochloride,Histamine Hydrochloride,Peremin
D000431	Ethanol	A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.	Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia