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The Effects of N-Acetyl Cysteine on Nasal Mucociliary Clearance in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Study

Morvarid Elahi and Homayoun Elahi

Background: Mucociliary clearance is an important host defense function of the upper respiratory tract that requires the coordinated beating of cilia and results in the transport of mucus to the oropharynx. N-Acetyl Cysteine is a mucolytic drug currently used in pulmonary diseases. In the present study we sought to assess the effects of N-Acetyl Cysteine nasal mucociliary clearance in healthy volunteers.
Methods: A total of 100 healthy individuals (55 male) with the mean age of 34.21 (± 12.63) years were included in the present randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study. Participants were assigned into two groups of case and control. The Mucociliary Clearance Time (MCT) was measured by saccharine test; measuring the time in minutes required for the subject to taste a saccharin particle placed on the inferior turbinate of the nasal. The variables studied were nasal MCT before and after taking the placebo or NAC, age, and sex. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.16.
Results: Wilcoxon signed ranks test demonstrated considerable different of Saccharine Test Time (STT) between before and after taking the NAC (p=0.021), and no significant different of STT between before and after taking the placebo (p=0.723).
Conclusion: N-Acetyl Cysteine exerts measurable effect on nasal mucociliary clearance in healthy volunteers; therefore may be beneficial in conditions associated with disruption of mucociliary clearance such as rhinitis and sinusitis. However, further studies are suggested to achieve more conclusive results.