Effect of Hypertonic Seawater (Sinomarin(R)) on Mucociliary Clearance in Normal Subjects

Lee, Seung Hoon; Song, Jong Suk; Lee, Sang Hag; Hwang, Soon Jae; Lee, Heung Man

Original Article

Journal of Rhinology 2003;10(Suppl DB Error: syntax error):19-22.
Published online November 30, 2003.

Effect of Hypertonic Seawater (Sinomarin(R)) on Mucociliary Clearance in Normal Subjects

Seung Hoon Lee, Jong Suk Song, Sang Hag Lee, Soon Jae Hwang, Heung Man Lee

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hmlee91@hotmail.com

Abstract

Background and Objectives
The effect of the hypertonic nasal douching solutions on mucociliary clearance was studied to ascertain the effect of hypertonic seawater.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-eight normal subjects were included in a randomized double -blind crossover trial. Hypertonic seawater (3%, Sinomarin(R)) was used as a hypertonic nasal douching solution. In order to determine the effect of hypertonic seawater on nasal mucosa, the mucociliary clearance was measured by the saccharin clearance time (SCT).
Results
The resultant SCT after administration of hypertonic seawater was significantly reduced compared with normal saline (0.9%)(p<0.05).
Conclusion
This results showed that the hypertonic seawater improved mucociliary clearance time in the nasal cavity. The mechanism of this effect is probably brought about by changes in mucus viscoelastic properties.

Key Words: Hypertonic seawater (Sinomarin (R));Mucociliary clearance;Saccharin clearance time (SCT)