N-acetylcysteine effects on sinonasal cilia function

The mucociliary transport system plays an important role in the clearance of excessive mucus and inhaled foreign materials from the respiratory tract. Airway epithelium’s ciliary structure is a part of the natural defense system that protects the respiratory system by propelling debris laden mucus. The mucus flow is generated by the vigorous asymmetric beating of the cilia, which can be named as effective strokes and recovery strokes. During normal mucus clearance, inhaled pathogens and particles become trapped in the mucus layer and are then expelled before they colonize the airways. The airway secretions which line the respiratory tract form a biphasic layer composed of an aqueous ‘sol’ layer and a more superficial ‘gel’ layer. The sol layer is also described as the ‘periciliary’ layer or ‘airway surface fluid’, where the cilia beat and relax. The lubricant sol layer enables the gel mucus present at the tips of the cilia to be Experimental Study