An in vitro model for studying the effects of pharmacological agents on human ciliary beat frequency: effects of lignocaine.

1 The effects of lignocaine hydrochloride on ciliary beat frequency (CBF), measured photometrically in vitro, using human epithelium obtained by nasal brushing was studied in 20 healthy subjects. Above lignocaine concentrations of 2.5 x 10(-3) g/ml cilio-inhibition occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Concentrations greater than 2 x 10(-2) g/ml caused ciliostasis. 2 Lignocaine aerosol was sprayed in vivo on the mucosa of one nasal cavity in five healthy subjects and five patients premedicated for bronchoscopy. CBF, measured in vitro in nasal brushings, was not different for treated and untreated sides. 3 Variation of intrinsic CBF with time after nasal brushings were taken was studied in ten normal subjects. No significant change in CBF was found until after 24 h. 4 We conclude that lignocaine hydrochloride, at concentrations three orders of magnitude above drug levels encountered in clinical practice, inhibits human CBF in a dose-dependent manner. Aerosolised lignocaine hydrochloride in doses which produce local nasal mucosal anaesthesia, does not inhibit CBF subsequently measured in vitro. Lignocaine is a suitable local anaesthetic for use at fibreoptic bronchoscopy when samples are being obtained for study of ciliary function. 5 The measurement of CBF in nasal mucosal brushings provides an in vitro model suitable for studying the effects of pharmacological agents on human ciliary activity.