Effect of nondialyzable solids concentration and viscoelasticity on ciliary transport of tracheal mucus

Abstract

The viscoelastic properties of reconstituted canine tracheal mucus were correlated with the ciliary transport rate measured on the bullfrog palate. A maximum in mucociliary transport rate was found at an optimal concentration of nondialyzable solids of 1.5 to 2 per cent. At concentrations less than this value, the mucus had little or no elasticity and low rates of transport; at concentrations greater than the optimum, however, further increases in elastic modulus also resulted in decreasing transport.