Abstract
Viscoelasticity, protein content, and ciliary transport rate of sputum were studied in 3 groups of patients: 7 with recurrent bronchitis (group I), 13 “mild” chronic bronchitics (group II) and 19 “severe” chronic bronchitics (group III). The apparent viscosity (ηo) and elastic modulus (G) were significantly higher in group I than group II and III. A four-fold decrease in secretory IgA to serum albumin ratio was observed in group III as compared to group II. The ciliary transport rate (Tr) on the depleted frog palate progressively decreased with the duration and severity of the disease. In group I, Tr remained normal although 6 of the 7 sputa were outside predicted optimal viscoelastic range. These results suggest that other factors than viscosity and elasticity may control the mucociliary transport efficiency.
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