Summary
We have evaluated the effect of serratiopeptidase (SER), a proteolytic enzyme, on the elasticity and viscosity of the nasal mucus in adult patients with chronic sinusitis. SER was administered in a dose of 30mg/day orally for 4 weeks. Nasal mucus was collected from the nasal cavities of each patient before (week 0) and 4 weeks after the start of the medication (week 4). The storage modulus (G′) and the dynamic viscosity (η′) of each specimen of nasal mucus were determined by an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20 Hz at a constant temperature of 25° C. The dynamic viscosity (η′) of the mucus at week 4 was significantly lower than that at week 0 (at frequencies of 5, 10 and 20 Hz). No significant differences were observed in the storage modulus (G′) between the mucus at week 0 and week 4. SER reduced the viscosity but not the elasticity of the nasal mucus. These findings are discussed in relation to mucociliary clearance.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Carratu' L, Marangio E, Cuomo A, Pesci A, Sofia M, Barani G (1980) Physico-chemical and rheological research on mucolytic activity of serratio-peptidase in chronic bronchopneumopathies. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 28:937–951
Davis SS (1973) Techniques for the measurement of the rheological properties of sputum. Bull Physio-Pathol Resp 9:47–90
Hirata K (1985) Dynamic viscoelasticity of nasal mucus from children with chronic sinusitis. Mie Med J 34:205–219
Kase' Y, Seo H, Oyama M, Sakata K, Tomoda K, Takahama K, Hitoshi T, Okano Y, Miyata T (1982) A new method for evaluating mucolytic expectorant activity and its application. II. Application to two proteolytic enzymes, serratiopeptidase and seaprose. Arzneimittelforschung 32:374–378
King M, Engel LA, Macklem PT (1979) Effect of pentobarbital anesthesia on rheology and transport of canine tracheal mucus. J Appl Physiol 46:504–509
Litt M, Khan MA (1976) Effect of chronic sulfer dioxide inhalation on rheological properties of tracheal mucus. Biorheology 13:107–114
Lucas AM, Douglas LC (1934) Principles underlying ciliary activity in the respiratory tract. II. A comparison of nasal clearance in man, monkey and other mammals. Arch Otolaryngol 20:518–541
Majima Y, Sakakura Y, Matsubara T, Murai S, Miyoshi Y (1983) Mucociliary clearance in chronic sinusitis: related human nasal clearance and in vitro bullfrog palate clearance. Biorheology 20:251–262
Majima Y, Sakakura Y, Matsubara T, Hamaguchi Y, Hirata K, Takeuchi K, Miyoshi Y (1986) Rheological properties of middle ear effusions from children with otitis media with effusion. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 95 [Suppl 124]: 1–4
Marriott C (1982) Modification of the Theological properties of mucus by drugs. Adv Exp Med Biol 144:75–84
Okubo T, Shimura S, Takishima T, Otubo Y, Umeya K (1983) Frequency distribution of viscoelastic properties of sputum studied by the raised cosine method: the effects of mucolytic agents. Biorheology 20:231–238
Saida S (1986) Ciliary activity of nasal and maxillary epithelia in man. Mie Med J 36:9–18
Sakakura Y, Ukai K, Majima Y, Murai S, Harada T, Miyoshi Y (1983) Nasal mucociliary clearance under various conditions. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 96:167–173
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Majima, Y., Inagaki, M., Hirata, K. et al. The effect of an orally administered proteolytic enzyme on the elasticity and viscosity of nasal mucus. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 244, 355–359 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00497464
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00497464