Effect of the inhalation of a surface tension-reducing substance (propylene glycol) on the ultrastructure of epithelium of the respiratory passages in rabbits
Konrádová, V.; Vávrová, V.; Janota, J.
Folia Morphologica 26(1): 28-34
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-5640 PMID: 631649 Document Number: 4044
The effect of 20 and 120 min inhalations of propylene glycol (PG) on the ultrastructure of the rabbit tracheal epithelium was studied. PG, a surface tension-reducing substance, is used as a part of some mucolytic mixtures employed in clinical practice. A 20 min inhalation of 10% PG produces minimal alteration of ciliated cells, but a strong secretory on the goblet cells. After 20 min inhalation 16.5% of the goblet cells are filled with large pale mucous granules, 31% exhibit mucus discharge and 52.5% are completely exhausted with highly electron-dense degenerated cytoplasm. After 2 h inhalation of PG signs of ciliated cell alteration are more pronounced and a slight drop in the number of intact mucus filled (12%) and mucus discharging goblet cells (19%) is accompanied with an increase in the number of exhausted degenerated cells (69%). The degenerated goblet cells are gradually expelled from the epithelium. Even after 2 h inhalation the signs of increased differentiation of new goblet cells are not noticed. Compared with mucolytics (Broncholysin, Mistabron) the inhalation of 10% propylene glycol causes greater alteration of ciliated cells, with a less pronounced effect on the goblet cells.
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