Effect of mechanical stimulation on mucociliary clearance of chicken sinus.

The hypothesis that homeostatic control mechanisms control mucociliary function in ciliated mucous membranes was induced artificially by means of mechanical stimulation. The edge of right palatine cleft was stimulated mechanically by gentle touching with a dissecting needle, and sinus clearance time was recorded as soon as mechanical stimulation was initiated. Mechanical stimulation caused acceleration of mucociliary flow of the sinus; sinus clearance time was accelerated on the side adjacent to the mechanically stimulated side of the palatine cleft, but not on the opposite side. Therefore, the reflex may be effective only on the stimulated side. We investigated the effect of nerve blockers on mechanical stimulation. Mucociliary clearance in the chicken sinus was not affected by parasympatholytic agents, but was decelerated by the beta-adrenergic blocker. The effect of nerve blockers on the mechanical stimulation showed that parasympatholytic agents blocked mechanical stimulation, while sympatholytic agents did not completely block the response. These data suggest that mucociliary clearance may be regulated by the reflex of parasympathetic and partially sympathetic nerve fibers.