Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of L-cysteine ethyl ester, a sulf hydryl-type oral mucolytic, on the viscosity and the elasticity of nasal mucus in 13 adults with chronic sinusitis. The drug was administered at a dose of 300mg/ day orally for 4 weeks. Twenty specimens of mucus were collected from the nasal cavity before and 4 weeks after the start of the administration.The dynamic viscosity (v') and storage modulus (G') of each specimen of nasal mucus were determined by an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20 Hz at a constant temperature of 25°C.Both the dynamic viscosity and the storage modulus of the mucus after 4 weeks were significantly lower than those before treatment at the all frequencies examined. These results indicate that L-cysteine ethyl ester reduces the viscosity and the elasticity of the nasal mucus in patients with chronic sinusitis. It may facilitate the elimination of increased nasal secretion from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses by mucociliary clearance and blowing in patients with chronic sinusitis.
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