Effects of adrenergic and cholinergic agents and leukotrienes on mucociliary transport force measured by using frog palate.

We have developed a new method to quantify the mucociliary transport force (MCTF). We validated the method by examining the effects of isoproterenol (Iso), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (Epi), and acetylcholine (ACh) on MCTF. In the first series of experiments, the effects of leukotrienes (LTs) on MCTF were investigated. In accordance with previous studies, Iso, NE, and ACh induced increases in MCTF, but Epi did not cause any significant effects. In the second series of experiments, LTC. induced a significant increase in MCTF and LTD. induced a significant decrease in MCTF, although these effects were transient. Neither LTB. nor LTE. affected MCTF. The effects of LTC. and LTD. were inhibited by a LT antagonist, FPL55712. These results indicate that we have developed a useful and sensitive method for quantitative determination of the immediate and direct effect of agonists on mucociliary transport, and that selective agonists may be involved in the defense mechanism of the lung to carry mucus plugs or locally produced debris Ollt of the airways.