Abstract
In experiment, the effect of two puffs of aerosol of Placebo-inhaler on the ultrastructure of the tracheal epithelium and on the composition of glycoconjugates of the goblet cells was studied. Using standard methods of electron microscopy, the ciliary border and the functional state of the goblet cells were evaluated quantitatively.
The character of glycoconjugates was studied by means of methods of conventional and lectin histochemistry. 30 minutes after inhalation of propellants contained in the metered-dose inhaler, the ciliated cells revealed only slight signs of alteration reflected in a mild impairment of the ciliary border. 16% of goblet cells were stimulated to discharge mucus, 4% of them degenerated. Neutral glycoconjugates disappeared from the epithelium and insignificant decrease in acid sialylated glycoconjugates was demonstrated.
Morphological signs of impaired self-cleaning ability of the tracheal epithelium were not encountered. The propellants contained in the metered-dose inhalers do not cause the damage to the airway epithelium due to the inhalation of bronchospasmolytic drugs.