Nasal Mucociliary Clearance Research Articles

Dose response of continuous positive airway pressure on nasal symptoms, obstruction and inflammationin vivoandin vitro

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common condition associated with cardiovascular risk. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment but is associated with nasal side-effects, which hinder compliance and may result from inflammation. We investigated whether CPAP was pro-inflammatory to human subjects in vivo, and to cultured bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. In vivo, we further investigated whether induction of nasal inflammation was associated with the development of systemic inflammation, nasal symptoms and changes in nasal mucociliary clearance. In vitro, CPAP resulted in cytokine release from cultured BEAS-2B cells in a time- and dose (pressure)-dependent manner. In vivo, CPAP resulted in dose-dependent upregulation of nasal inflammatory markers associated with the development of nasal symptoms, and reduced mucociliary clearance. CPAP also upregulated selected markers of systemic inflammation. CPAP results in dose-dependent release of inflammatory cytokines from human epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In vivo responses were associated with systemic inflammation, reductions in nasal mucociliary function and the development of nasal symptoms. This emphasises the need for novel strategies to reduce nasal inflammation and therefore aid compliance.

Does Passive Smoking Have an Effect on Nasal Mucociliary Clearance?

The aim of this study is to review the literature about nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) and passive smoking in otorhinolaryngology by clearly explaining their relationship in a cross-sectional study. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Umraniye Education and Research Hospital in Turkey. Umraniye Education and Research Hospital Ethical Committee approved the study, and informed consents of the patients were obtained. Our study consisted of patients who presented to the Ear-Nose-Throat Department of Istanbul Umraniye Education and Research Hospital between February 2011 and July 2011. Three groups of subjects were evaluated: 15 passive smokers (group 1), 17 active smokers (group 2), and 15 healthy matched controls (group 3). All patients were asked to answer our questions regarding their smoking history, and nasal MCC time was assessed for all individuals of the 3 groups. The mean MCC value was 23.59 ± 12.41 in the smoking group, 12.6 ± 4.67 in the passive smoking group, and 6.4 ± 1.55 in the healthy group. The comparison of MCC values between the smoking group and passive smoking group and between the smoking group and healthy group revealed statistically significant differences (P < .01). There was also a significant difference between the MCC values of the passive smoking group and the healthy group (P < .01). In addition, we compared MCC values according to exposure number of cigarettes. In this study, we conclude that passive smoking affects nasal MCC. Both active and passive smoking increases nasal MCC time when compared with healthy controls.

Septal perforation repair: mucosal regeneration technique

A novel method for repair of septal perforations. Fifteen volunteers with symptomatic septal perforations were recruited. Open technique rhinoplasty approach was preferred: auricular conchal cartilage graft with intact perichondrium on both sides was harvested and shaped to fit the perforated site and attached to the septum with absorbable sutures. All margins of the graft were covered with nasal mucosa. The severity of patient symptoms was assessed at preoperation, 3 and 6 months postoperatively via visual analogue scale (VAS). Crust formation, whistling, nasal blockage, epistaxis and overall comfort were evaluated. Mucosal physiology was assessed by nasal mucociliary clearance time. The mean age of the patients was 47.3 years. Average perforation size was 1.86 ± 0.78 cm. 14/15 (93.3%) perforations were repaired, and only one patient required revision surgery. VAS scores improved significantly (p < 0.001). Mean mucociliary clearance time improved from 17.6 ± 3.83 to 10.3 ± 3.30 min and 9.3 ± 3.36 min at 3 and 6 months, respectively. This is a novel, simple and safe method for repairing the deficient mucosal area in septal perforations up to 25 mm in diameter.

&lt;i&gt;In Vitro&lt;/i&gt; Evaluation of Nasal Mucociliary Clearance Using Excised Rat Nasal Septum

Mucus on the nasal mucosa is translocated to the pharynx by ciliary beating, which is an important nonspecific defense mechanism called mucociliary clearance (MC). MC is one of the important factors determining the rate and extent of drug absorption after nasal application. The purpose of this study is to evaluate MC using rat nasal septum under physiological condition in an in vitro system. The nasal septum was excised from rats anesthetized with urethane and the movement of fluorescent microspheres (FMS) applied on the nasal septum was observed with a fluorescence microscope. FMS were transported at a constant velocity in the same direction for a few minutes, but addition of 4% mucin solution on the nasal septum maintained MC for at least 90 min after excision. With our evaluation system established by modifying the method of Saldiva, MC was determined to be around 1 mm/min. Furthermore, the ciliostatic effect of benzalkonium chloride was observed, and it was confirmed that β-adrenergic antagonists and a cholinergic antagonist decreased MC, and that β-adrenergic agonists and a cholinergic agonist tended to increase MC, indicating that our system is valid and useful for evaluating MC function and the effect of drugs and pharmaceutical additives for nasal application on MC.

Freeze-dried Xanthan/Guar Gum Nasal Inserts for the Delivery of Metoclopramide Hydrochloride.

Prolonged residence of drug formulation in the nasal cavity is important for the enhancing intranasal drug delivery. The objective of the present study was to develop a mucoadhesive in-situ gelling nasal insert which would enable the reduced nasal mucociliary clearance in order to improve the bioavailability of metoclopramide hydrochloride. Metoclopramide hydrochloride is a potent antiemetic and effective for preventing emesis induced by cancer chemotherapy, migraine, pregnancy and gastroparesis. It undergoes hepatic first pass metabolism and both the absolute bioavailability and the plasma concentrations are subjected to wide inter-individual variation showing values between 32% and 98%. Oral antiemetic often gets vomited out before the systemic absorption compelling parenteral administration which results in low patient compliance. Adverse effect of metoclopramide HCL on CNS caused by high plasma peaks can be avoided through sustained formulation. A novel combination of xanthan gum and guar gum was used to prepare the nasal inserts and the effect of blend ratio of xanthan gum and guar gum on drug release from in-situ gelling nasal inserts and on other insert properties such as bioadhesion potential and water uptake was studied. PXRD was used to determine the effect of freeze-drying on crystalline nature of formulation. The viscosities of xanthan gum in combination with guar gum were observed to be higher than that of single polymer solutions. This is because of the synergistic rheological interaction between xanthan and guar gum. There is a substantial loss in crystalline nature of the formulation after freeze-drying. The best nasal inserts formulation containing xanthan gum and guar gum ratio 1:5, showed good release (91.83%) as well as bioadhesion which may result in an increase in the nasal residence time.

Hydrophilic Nasal Gel of Lidocaine Hydrochloride

Intranasal lidocaine hydrochloride (LID, CAS 73-78-9) has been widely and commonly used in the treatment of a series of symptoms such as migraine, cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia in clinical studies. Nevertheless, rapid nasal mucociliary clearance of intranasal solution presents the predominant obstacle impacting its efficiency. In order to prolong the residence time of LID in the nasal cavity and increase its absorption, a LID nasal gel had been developed previously using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as base material. The LID nasal gel formulation has been optimized through central composite design and its in vitro release behavior has been investigated. In the present study, safety studies employing in situ toad palate model and in vivo rat nasal mucosa model showed that compared with LID nasal spray, LID nasal gel was less toxic to mucocilia. The pharmacokinetic parameters, along with olfactory and ventricle delivery of LID from nasal gel were compared with those of LID from nasal spray, intravenous injections and oral solutions in rats using microdialysis, and the drug targeting index (DTI) was used to evaluate their brain delivery. The absolute bioavailability of the optimized LID nasal gel was about 1.5 times of that of LID nasal spray which suggested a better absorption of LID from nasal gel. Moreover, the drug targeting index (DTI) of olfactory/ventricle after nasal gel and spray administration was 2.15/1.51 and 1.66/1.26, respectively. This suggested that a fraction of the LID dose could be transported directly from the nasal cavity into the central nervous system (CNS), and the brain delivery of LID can be enhanced by nasal gel.

Hydrophilic Nasal Gel of Lidocaine Hydrochloride

Intranasal lidocaine hydrochloride (LID, CAS 73-78-9) has been shown useful in the control of a series of symptoms such as migraine, cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia in clinical studies. However, rapid nasal mucociliary clearance of intranasal solution usually affects its efficiency. In this study, a nasal gel formulation was designed using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as mucoadhesive polymer to increase the residence time of LID on the nasal mucosa. Based on the results of a preliminary single factor study, the gel formulation was optimized by central composite design to provide better drug release and bioadhesive intensity. The methods for investigating the gel's bioadhesive intensity and for spectrophotometric determination of LID were established. Then the parameters for the LID in vitro release study such as release medium, release apparatus and rotation rate were decided upon a method of f2 fit factor. The in vitro drug release property of the optimized formulation was proved to comply with the Higuchi equation.

Impairment of nasal mucociliary clearance in former smokers with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease relates to the presence of a chronic bronchitis phenotype

Associations between nasal and bronchial impairment have been repeatedly described in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whereas nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) in COPD patients is not yet fully understood. We studied nasal MCC parameters in COPD patients and compared them with healthy adults (HA) and with cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with compromised MCC. An observational study of 98 COPD ex-smokers and subjects from control groups evaluated for nasal MCC time (NMCCt) and by digital video microscopy of nasal mucosa recording ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and ciliary beat pattern. The NMCCt was decreased in HA compared to those with COPD and decreased in those with COPD compared to those with CF. CBF in COPD was lower compared to HA. The index of ciliary dyskinesia in COPD patients differed from HA. We detected higher NMCCt and lower nasal CBF in patients with chronic bronchitis phenotype (CB) compared to non-CB patients. We confirmed the presence of impaired nasal MCC in COPD ex-smokers. These impairments were apparent predominantly in the CB phenotype.

Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy Appears to Impair Nasal Mucociliary Clearance

We conducted a prospective study of 50 adults to investigate changes in nasal mucociliary clearance following endoscopic intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Each operation was performed with the use of a drill to perforate the lateral nasal wall in order to reach the lacrimal sac. Each patient's mucociliary clearance time (MCT) was determined by the saccharin test on both the operated and nonoperated sides; the preoperative times were compared with postoperative measurements made 1 and 3 months following DCR. Preoperatively, the mean MCTs were 14.48 minutes on the operated side and 14.50 minutes on the nonoperated side-not a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Postoperatively, the corresponding MCTs were 25.22 and 14.98 minutes at 1 month and 18.44 and 15.62 minutes at 3 months. On the operated side, both postoperative MCTs were significantly longer than the preoperative value (p < 0.001), while on the nonoperated side, neither postoperative MCT was significantly different from the preoperative value (p > 0.05). Also, the postoperative MCTs were significantly longer on the operated side than on the nonoperated side at both 1 month (p < 0.001) and 3 months (p < 0.05). Only 1 of the 50 operations was considered to be unsuccessful; the reason for this surgical failure was the patient's ongoing complaints of chronic postoperative dacryocystitis. We conclude that endoscopic DCR disturbs mucociliary clearance. Changes in MCTs may be attributable to injury to the nasal mucosa or to the continuous flow of tears through the nasal mucosa.

Short terms effects of air pollution from biomass burning in mucociliary clearance of Brazilian sugarcane cutters

Nasal mucociliary system is the first line of defense of the upper airways and may be affected acutely by exposure to particulate matter (PM) from biomass burning. Several epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a consistent association between levels of air pollution from biomass burning with increases in hospitalization for respiratory diseases and mortality. To determine the acute effects of exposure to particulate matter from biomass burning in nasal mucociliary transport by saccharin transit time (STT) test, we studied thirty-three non-smokers and twelve light smokers sugarcane cutters in two periods: pre-harvest season and 4 h after harvest at the first day after biomass burning. Lung function, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), nasal symptoms questionnaire and mucociliary clearance (MC) were assessed. Exhaled CO was increased in smokers compared to non-smokers but did not change significantly after harvest. In contrast, STT was similar between smokers and non-smokers and decreased significantly after harvest in both groups (p < 0.001). Exposure to PM from biomass burning did not influence nasal symptoms. Our results suggest that acute exposure to particulate matter from sugarcane burned affects mucociliary clearance in smokers and non-smokers workers in the absence of symptoms.

Correlation of mucociliary clearance and symptomatology before and after adenoidectomy in children

ObjectiveThe goal of this study is to better understand the role of adenoid hypertrophy and its impact on mucociliary clearance as it relates to the symptoms of chronic sinusitis in children. More specifically, the goal is to better understand which symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis might be most likely to improve in children undergoing an adenoidectomy. MethodsWe conducted this study on 35 healthy children (>3 and <18 years of age), either male or female, who underwent adenotonsillectomy or adenoidectomy (with or without tympanostomy tube insertion). Eighteen patients completed pre- and postoperative surveys, with 10 also completing the Andersen's saccharine test (AST). The nasal mucociliary clearance will be evaluated with the AST, in which a saccharin particle (1.5mm diameter) is carefully placed on the floor of the nasal cavity approximately 1cm behind the anterior end of the inferior turbinate. The time taken by the subjects from placement of particle to the perception of the sweet taste will be taken as mucociliary clearance time (MCT). The length of the nasal cavity is measured intraoperatively as the distance between the upper medial incisor and the inferior edge of the soft palate. From these two values nasal mucociliary clearance velocity (MCV) (cm/min) can be calculated and assessed. This study took place at an academic institution. ResultsSymptomatic improvement was seen in all categories, as measured by the mean score improvement postoperatively. The greatest improvements were seen in nasal obstruction (mean=2.67 points±.59) on the symptom survey, and emotional distress (mean=2.56±.47) on the SN5 survey. Quality of life improved by a mean=2.61±.49. Both MCT and MCV improved postoperatively (mean 3.64min±.84 and mean 1.96cm/min±.90, respectively). ConclusionsWe believe this study has the potential to provide otolaryngologists across the country with a benchmark to communicate the specific symptomatic benefits from adenoidectomy.

Immediate and short term effects of smoking on nasal mucociliary clearance in smokers

Background and objectivesThe efficiency of mucociliary transport may vary in different conditions, such as in exposure to harmful particles of the cigarette smoke. The present study evaluated the acute and short term effects of smoking on nasal mucociliary clearance in current smokers by the quantification of the Saccharin Transit Time (STT), and to investigate its correlation with the history of tobacco consumption. MethodsNineteen current smokers (11 men, 51±16years; BMI 23±9kg/m2, 27±11 cigarettes per day, 44±25 pack-years), entering a smoking cessation intervention program, responded to a questionnaire concerning smoking history and were submitted to lung function assessment (spirometry) and the STT test. STT was assessed immediately after smoking and 8hours after smoking. The STT test was also performed in nineteen matched healthy non-smokers’ who served as control group. ResultsWhen compared to STT in non-smokers’ (10±4min; mean±standard deviation), smokers presented similar STT immediately after smoking (11±6min; p=0.87) and slower STT 8hours after smoking (16±6min; p=0.005 versus non-smokers’ and p=0.003 versus immediately after smoking). STT 8hours after smoking correlated positively with age (r=0.59; p=0.007), cigarettes per day (r=0.53; p=0.02) and pack-years index (r=0.74; p=0.0003). ConclusionsIn smokers, although the mucociliary clearance immediately after smoking is similar to non-smokers’, eight hours after smoking it is reduced, and this reduction is closely related to the smoking habits.

Reversibility of impaired nasal mucociliary clearance in smokers following a smoking cessation programme

Smoking cessation (SC) is recognized as reducing tobacco-associated mortality and morbidity. The effect of SC on nasal mucociliary clearance (MC) in smokers was evaluated during a 180-day period. Thirty-three current smokers enrolled in a SC intervention programme were evaluated after they had stopped smoking. Smoking history, Fagerström's test, lung function, exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO), carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) and nasal MC as assessed by the saccharin transit time (STT) test were evaluated. All parameters were also measured at baseline in 33 matched non-smokers. Smokers (mean age 49 ± 12 years, mean pack-year index 44 ± 25) were enrolled in a SC intervention and 27% (n = 9) abstained for 180 days, 30% (n = 11) for 120 days, 49.5% (n = 15) for 90 days or 60 days, 62.7% (n = 19) for 30 days and 75.9% (n = 23) for 15 days. A moderate degree of nicotine dependence, higher education levels and less use of bupropion were associated with the capacity to stop smoking (P < 0.05). The STT was prolonged in smokers compared with non-smokers (P = 0.002) and dysfunction of MC was present at baseline both in smokers who had abstained and those who had not abstained for 180 days. eCO and COHb were also significantly increased in smokers compared with non-smokers. STT values decreased to within the normal range on day 15 after SC (P < 0.01), and remained in the normal range until the end of the study period. Similarly, eCO values were reduced from the seventh day after SC. A SC programme contributed to improvement in MC among smokers from the 15th day after cessation of smoking, and these beneficial effects persisted for 180 days.

ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common ENT diseases in Faisalabad. The affects of topical steroids on nasal mucosal environment has not been studied reliably. Objectives: To see the affects of topical steroids on symptom score and mucociliary clearance in Allergic Rhinitis. Rationale: To see whether symptom score change with change in mucociliary clearance after topical application of steroids. Study design: A quasi-experimental study. Setting: ENT Unit, Madina Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad ( a tertiary care hospital). Subjects: (sample, sampling technique): Non-probability convenience sampling. Fifty patients in total. Intervention: Saccharine with dye: india ink (Indigocarmine) application on anterior end of inferior turbinate to check mucociliary clearance. Methods (Main outcome measures): To assess change in mucociliary clearance time and symptom score (total as well as individual) before and after application of steroid at one, three and six months in patients having allergic rhinitis. Each nasal symptom was scored as zero to 3 on a severity scale (absent-mild-moderatesevere). Results: Patients were tested for nasal mucociliary clearance and symptom score before and after application of steroid. The results showed statistically significant difference in these groups. Conclusions: 1.Topical steroids modify the nasal mucosal environment in terms of mucociliary clearance and thus affects the patients quality of life in terms of allergic rhinitis symptom score 2. More long term follow up and wider studies are required to study the definite affects of steroids on nasal mucosa.

Effect of prehydration on nasal mucociliary clearance in low relative humidity

Nasal mucociliary clearance, which plays an important role in defending the respiratory system, tends to decrease under conditions of low relative humidity (RH). The purpose of this randomized cross-over study was to investigate the preventive effect of prehydration on nasal mucociliary clearance under low RH conditions. Fourteen young healthy subjects were assigned to three interventions: prehydration (6ml/kg body weight) using water (W), prehydration using a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage (CE), and control conditions (Cont) with no prehydration. For each intervention trial, subjects sat for 4h in an environmental chamber (23°C, 10% RH). Nasal mucociliary clearance was measured by the saccharin transit time (ST). Furthermore, a dry sensation of the mucosa, urine volume, and body weight were measured at the baseline, 2h and 4h after entering the environmental chamber, respectively. ST was prolonged under the Cont conditions after entering the environmental chamber. Prehydration with CE led to a significantly lower ST compared to the Cont pretreatment at 2h, whereas the W trial showed no significance difference in comparison to the Cont values. These results suggest that prehydration with a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage is therefore beneficial for maintaining better nasal mucociliary clearance at least for 2h under low RH conditions.

Efeito imediato e a curto prazo do cigarro sobre o transporte mucociliar nasal de fumadores

Background and objectives The efficiency of mucociliary transport may vary in different conditions, such as in exposure to harmful particles of the cigarette smoke. The present study evaluated the acute and short term effects of smoking on nasal mucociliary clearance in current smokers by the quantification of the Saccharin Transit Time (STT), and to investigate its correlation with the history of tobacco consumption. Methods Nineteen current smokers (11 men, 51 ± 16 years; BMI 23 ± 9 kg/m 2, 27 ± 11 cigarettes per day, 44 ± 25 pack-years), entering a smoking cessation intervention program, responded to a questionnaire concerning smoking history and were submitted to lung function assessment (spirometry) and the STT test. STT was assessed immediately after smoking and 8 hours after smoking. The STT test was also performed in nineteen matched healthy non-smokers’ who served as control group. Results When compared to STT in non-smokers’ (10 ± 4 min; mean ± standard deviation), smokers presented similar STT immediately after smoking (11 ± 6 min; p = 0.87) and slower STT 8 hours after smoking (16 ± 6 min; p = 0.005 versus non-smokers’ and p = 0.003 versus immediately after smoking). STT 8 hours after smoking correlated positively with age (r = 0.59; p = 0.007), cigarettes per day (r = 0.53; p = 0.02) and pack-years index (r = 0.74; p = 0.0003). Conclusions In smokers, although the mucociliary clearance immediately after smoking is similar to non-smokers’, eight hours after smoking it is reduced, and this reduction is closely related to the smoking habits.

The effects of calcitonin nasal preparations and their excipients on mucociliary clearance in an ex-vivo frog palate test.

The topical tolerability of the commercial preparation of 1-7 Asu-eel and salmon calcitonin with 2% ammonium glycyrrhyzinate and 0.01% benzalkonium chloride, respectively, and of their excipients mixture in solution with increasing concentrations of ammonium glycyrrhyzinate and benzalkonium chloride, respectively, were assessed by investigating their effects on the mucociliary transport velocity in the ex-vivo frog palate preparation. This preparation provides an integrated biological model readily usable in the laboratory which closely resembles human nasal mucociliary clearance mechanism and can be used for rapid testing and toxicity of agents proposed for topical administration in the upper and lower airways. Frog-Ringer control, 1-7 Asu-eel and salmon calcitonin commercial spray preparations and the excipients plus 2% ammonium glycyrrhyzinate and plus 0.01% benzalkonium chloride did not modify significantly the mucociliary transport velocity, confirming their very good tolerability on ciliated epithelium. Higher concentrations of ammonium glycyrrhyzinate (10 and 20%) caused significant slowing, on average -32 and -55%, respectively. Higher concentrations of benzalkonium chloride (0.05 and 0.1%) also caused significant slowing, on average, -43.5 and -87%, respectively.

The Use of a Radiolabelled Saccharin Solution to Monitor the Effect of the Preservatives Thiomersal, Benzalkonium Chloride and EDTA on Human Nasal Clearance

The effect of thiomersal, benzalkonium chloride and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the nasal mucociliary clearance of healthy volunteers has been investigated using a modified saccharin test and gamma scintigraphy concomitantly. A significant correlation was found between the two techniques. Using each subject as his/her own control, none of the preservatives significantly altered the rate of clearance or proportion cleared from the nasal cavity after the administration of a single dose. This result is at variance with some in-vitro findings.

Effects of Aging on Nasal Mucociliary Clearance

ABSTRACT Nasal mucociliary clearance is a primary physiological defense mechanism of upper as well as lower respiratory tract, and thus maintains the state of health of the respiratory tract. Any disturbance in number or movement of cilia and change in character or amount of mucus production leads to an altered nasal mucociliary clearance. The present study was undertaken to study the effect of aging on nasal mucociliary clearance. Nasal mucociliary clearance time was assessed in 240 normal subjects, 120 males and 120 females, which were divided in six groups, each comprising of one decade starting from 11 to 20 years. The mean nasal mucociliary clearance time ranged 7.34 to 14.48 minutes in males and 7.36 to 15.38 minutes in females in different groups (A-F). There was no statistical difference between males and females in each group (p &gt; 0.05). The nasal mucociliary clearance time was not found to be increased till 5th decade (p = 0.05). However, the nasal mucociliary clearance time was found to be increased in 6th and 7th decades (group E&amp;F) significantly (p 0.001), which was more marked in group F. This may explain the increased susceptibility of elderly to sinusitis chronic bronchitis, deep lung infections and increased incidence of pneumonia.

Effects of biomass burning on nasal mucociliary clearance and mucus properties after sugarcane harvesting

Objective Biofuel from sugarcane is widely produced in developing countries and is a clean and renewable alternative source of energy. However, sugarcane harvesting is mostly performed after biomass burning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of harvesting after biomass burning on nasal mucociliary clearance and the nasal mucus properties of farm workers. Methods Twenty seven sugarcane workers (21–45 years old) were evaluated at the end of two successive time-periods: first at the end of a 6-month harvesting period (harvesting), and then at the end of a 3-month period without harvesting (non-harvesting). Nasal mucociliary clearance was evaluated by the saccharine transit test, and mucus properties were analyzed using in vitro mucus contact angle and mucus transportability by sneeze. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, body temperature, associated illness, and exhaled carbon monoxide were registered. Results Data are presented as mean values (95% confidence interval). The multivariate model analysis adjusted for age, body-mass index, smoking status and years of working with this agricultural practice showed that harvesting yielded prolonged saccharine transit test in 7.83 min (1.88–13.78), increased mucus contact angle in 8.68 degrees (3.18–14.17) and decreased transportability by sneeze in 32.12 mm (−44.83 to −19.42) compared with the non-harvesting period. No significant differences were detected in any of the clinical parameter at either time-period. Conclusion Sugarcane harvesting after biomass burning negatively affects the first barrier of the respiratory system in farm workers by impairing nasal mucociliary clearance and inducing abnormal mucus properties.