Mucin histochemistry of tracheal goblet cells after oral administration of ambroxol. Acta vet Brno 2001; 70

Abstract Vajner L., V. Konrádová, J. Uhlík, J. Zocová: Mucin Histochemistry of Tracheal Goblet Cells after Oral Administration of Ambroxol. Acta Vet. Brno 2001, 70: 9-13. Previous studies on the effect of various mucolytic drugs on the tracheal epithelium ultrastructure revealed ambroxol as the most harmful one. To complete these studies, we decided to evaluate the effect of ambroxol on the glycoconjugate content in the secretion of tracheal goblet cells. Using the methods of both conventional and lectin histochemistry, the percentage of tracheal goblet cells containing various glycoconjugates was evaluated. Twenty minutes after oral administration of 7.5 mg of ambroxol, goblet cells containing neutral glycoconjugates disappeared from the rabbit tracheal epithelium. Among goblet cells containing acidic glycoconjugates, the percentage of sialylated glycoconjugate-containing ones slightly decreased compared with control healthy rabbits. Oral administration of ambroxol only slightly affected the composition of glycoconjugates contained in goblet cells of the tracheal epithelium in rabbits. Tracheal goblet cells, conventional and lectin histochemistry, mucolytic drug ambroxol, rabbit Ambroxol, the most frequently used mucolytic agent in clinical practice, affects both ciliated and secretory cells in the respiratory system. It stimulates ciliary activity as well as incorporation of precursors into phospholipids in granular pneumocytes causing thus a decrement of mucus adhesion to the hypophase. According to pharmacological studies, it facilitates incorporation of hydrolytic enzymes into lysosomes of the airways' secretory cells. Activation of these acidic mucopolysaccharide-degrading enzymes leads to a decrease of the sputum viscosity (·míd and Holcát 1994). In our previous studies, reactions of the rabbit tracheal epithelium to oral administration of a single therapeutic dose of 6 various mucolytic drugs were compared. The adverse effect of ambroxol was the most pronounced (Konrádová et al. 1985ab; To complete the study, changes of the glycoconjugate content of the tracheal goblet cells were studied under the same experimental conditions using both conventional and lectin histochemistry

Genetics of asthma: a molecular biologist perspective

Asthma belongs to the category of classical allergic diseases which generally arise due to IgE mediated hypersensitivity to environmental triggers. Since its prevalence is very high in developed or urbanized societies it is also referred to as "disease of civilizations". Due to its increased prevalence among related individuals, it was understood quite long back that it is a genetic disorder. Well designed epidemiological studies reinforced these views. The advent of modern biological technology saw further refinements in our understanding of genetics of asthma and led to the realization that asthma is not a disorder with simple Mendelian mode of inheritance but a multifactorial disorder of the airways brought about by complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Current asthma research has witnessed evidences that are compelling researchers to redefine asthma altogether. Although no consensus exists among workers regarding its definition, it seems obvious that several pathologies, all affecting the airways, have been clubbed into one common category called asthma. Needless to say, genetic studies have led from the front in bringing about these transformations. Genomics, molecular biology, immunology and other interrelated disciplines have unearthed data that has changed the way we think about asthma now. In this review, we center our discussions on genetic basis of asthma; the molecular mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis. Taking cue from the existing data we would briefly ponder over the future directions that should improve our understanding of asthma pathogenesis

Tracheal Epithelium of Rabbits after Repeated Inhalations of Mineral Water Aerosol

In experiment, the effect of repeated inhalations of mineral water aerosol on the airway epithelium was investigated. Six rabbits inhaled mineral water for 10 min 5 × in the course of 5 days, seven animals served as untreated controls. The tracheal mucous membrane was processed using standard methods of transmission electron microscopy; the results were evaluated quantitatively. In paraffin-embedded material, the methods of conventional and lectin histochemistry were employed. Due to the contact with mineral water aerosol, the goblet cells were overstimulated and the mechanism of secretion was accelerated. The exhausted goblet cells represented 66 ± 2%. High level of goblet cells ’ stimulation resulted in changes in their distribution in the epithelium. Small intraepithelial mucous glands were formed by 33 ± 4 % of goblet cells. Goblet cells containing neutral glycoconjugates disappeared. A significant (α = 0.01) increase in number of cells producing acid sulphated glycoconjugates was accompanied with significant (α = 0.01) decrease in cells containing α(2-3) sialylated ones. In the ciliated cells, slight apical blebbing and mild signs of pathological alteration of the deeper portions of their cytoplasm were noticed. In the ciliary border, the mean number of cilia was 7.2 ± 0.3/m2. The altered kinocilia represented 5.8 ± 1.4%. These values were slightly but significantly (α = 0.01) lower compared with controls. A