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Mucociliary function deteriorates in the clinical range of inspired air temperature and humidity

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Abstract

Objective

To test whether a reduction in air temperature within the clinical range [37 °C to 30, 100% relative humidity (RH)] altered mucus transport velocity (MTV) and ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in an in vitro ovine tracheal model.

Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Setting

University research laboratory.

Subjects

Farm-reared sheep.

Interventions

Tracheae were mounted flat in an organ bath. Krebs Henseleit bathed the serosal surface and air at 100% (RH) was passed over the mucosal surface at 4 l/min. Cilial beat frequency (CBF) was measured photo-electrically and mucus transport velocity (MTV) by timing movement. After 2 h at 37 °C (100% RH) the tissue was either maintained with those settings (controls), or the air temperature reduced to 34 °C or 30 °C. Tissue was taken for histology before and after each experiment.

Measurements and results

CBF was 19.8±2.7 beats/s and MTV 5.7±2.6 mm/min in tissue exposed to air at 37 °C. Cilial activity continued for up to 6 h in the controls but mucus transport was more fragile. Reduction of the air temperature to either 34 °C or 30 °C led to a decrease in both CBF and MTV and, frequently, total mucociliary failure. There was a reduction in epithelial mucous cell numbers in all preparations. Tissues exposed to low temperature had additional abnormal histology.

Conclusions

Delivery of inspired gas at 30 °C, or even 34 °C, with 100% RH may not be sufficient to prevent epithelial damage occurring during 6 h exposure.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Emma Kilgour & Rodger Pack

  2. Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Middlemore Hospital, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand

    Nigel Rankin

  3. Respiratory Group, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand

    Stuart Ryan

Authors
  1. Emma Kilgour
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  2. Nigel Rankin
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  3. Stuart Ryan
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  4. Rodger Pack
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rodger Pack.

Additional information

Work performed at the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University. The study was supported by a grant from Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. This work was presented in part as an abstract at the 2001 International Conference of the American Thoracic Society

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Kilgour, E., Rankin, N., Ryan, S. et al. Mucociliary function deteriorates in the clinical range of inspired air temperature and humidity. Intensive Care Med 30, 1491–1494 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-004-2235-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-004-2235-3

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