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The in vitro mucolytic effect of xylitol and dornase alfa on chronic rhinosinusitis mucus
Author(s) -
Hardcastle Tim,
Jain Ravi,
Radcliff Fiona,
WaldvogelThurlow Sharon,
Zoing Melissa,
Biswas Kristi,
Douglas Richard
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international forum of allergy and rhinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.503
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 2042-6984
pISSN - 2042-6976
DOI - 10.1002/alr.21970
Subject(s) - mucus , medicine , xylitol , mucociliary clearance , saline , expectorant , gastroenterology , pharmacology , lung , chemistry , food science , biology , ecology , fermentation
Background The overproduction and stagnation of purulent mucus impair mucociliary clearance and exacerbate the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). There is a clinical need for effective topical mucolytic agents to facilitate removal of mucus and improve postoperative outcomes. Methods The effects of xylitol (5%) and dornase alfa (1 mg/mL) on mucus and mucus crusts were investigated. Viscoelasticity and viscosity of wet mucus derived from 30 CRS patients was measured with a plate rheometer. Postoperative dried mucus crust dissolution was measured by examining peripheral transparency, central transparency, and border definition of treated crust samples from 17 CRS patients. Results Xylitol and dornase alfa reduced wet mucus viscoelasticity at a frequency of 0.1 Hz significantly more than the saline control. Treatments also produced significantly lower viscosities than saline at a shear rate of 10 and 100 seconds −1 . Xylitol and dornase alfa significantly decreased mucus crust border definition relative to saline. Conclusion Xylitol and dornase alfa may be efficacious mucolytics, encouraging the breakdown of postoperative mucus crusts and the reduction of viscoelasticity and viscosity of wet mucus. In vivo study is required to evaluate the potential of these agents in treating recalcitrant CRS.