The effects of smoking and smoking cessation on nasal mucociliary clearance, mucus properties and inflammation

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:The aim of the present study was to assess nasal mucociliary clearance, mucus properties and inflammation in smokers and subjects enrolled in a Smoking Cessation Program (referred to as quitters).METHOD:A total of 33 subjects with a median (IQR) smoking history of 34 (20-58) pack years were examined for nasal mucociliary clearance using a saccharine transit test, mucus properties using contact angle and sneeze clearability tests, and quantification of inflammatory and epithelial cells, IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in nasal lavage fluid. Twenty quitters (mean age: 51 years, 9 male) were assessed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 12 months after smoking cessation, and 13 smokers (mean age: 52 years, 6 male) were assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02136550.RESULTS:Smokers and quitters showed similar demographic characteristics and morbidities. At baseline, all subjects showed impaired nasal mucociliary clearance (mean 17.6 min), although 63% and 85% of the quitters demonstrated significant nasal mucociliary clearance improvement at 1 month and 12 months, respectively. At 12 months, quitters also showed mucus sneeze clearability improvement (∼26%), an increased number of macrophages (2-fold) and no changes in mucus contact angle or cytokine concentrations.CONCLUSION:This study showed that smoking cessation induced early improvements in nasal mucociliary clearance independent of mucus properties and inflammation. Changes in mucus properties were observed after only 12 months of smoking cessation.

Nasal Mucociliary Clearance in Smokers: A Systematic Review

“…35 The improvement of NMC due to smoking cessation is caused by normalization of the cilia structure, genesis, and also ciliary beating function; changes of the cytomorphological features, such as fewer columnar cells, less mucus and reduced epithelial-cell metaplasia; restoration of the ionic transport function and mucus hydration at the basolateral membrane (increased mucus clearability); and detoxification of hydrogen peroxide through the activity of the glutathione peroxidase (antioxidant enxyme). 11,31 The finding of increased NMC value in passive smokers indicates that passive smokers present impairment of the NMC just like active smokers. 7,29,38 It has been observed that chronic passive exposure to cigarette smoke in the household has slightly higher serum continine, which is a metabolite of nicotine that decreases ciliary activity.…”

“…2,[8][9][10] Smoking is a significant risk factor for respiratory diseases, considering its ability to lead to an alteration of nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC). 2,11,12 Nasal mucociliary clearance is the primary innate defense mechanism of the nose and paranasal sinuses, and it consists of mucous layer, airway surface liquid layer, and ciliary epithelia. 2,[13][14][15] Mucus produced by the goblet cells of the mucosa is required for binding of the airborne pathogens (such as inhaled microbes and irritans).…”

Anisakis Sensitization in the Croatian fish processing workers: Behavioral instead of occupational risk factors?

“…Namely, while the expelling of cigarette irritants through mucosal ciliature in smokers is inefficient, cigarettes induce coughing that enables the clearing process. In ex-smokers, it can take a year for the cilia to recover after cessation, during which ex-smokers can be susceptible to chest infections [36]. Whether the same mechanism has a role in Anisakis sensitization still remains to be tested.…”

The new data about the nasal cycle

“…Имеются сведе ния, свидетельствующие о негативных последстви ях курения для организма. Однако до настоящего времени не изучено воздействие табачного дыма на НЦ [15].…”