Aerosol effects on smooth muscle and airway visualization technique

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1973.00320070079008· OSTI ID:6332365

Nadel, J A

Mechanical irritant receptors (cough) situated around carina and at bronchial bifurcations were studied. Mild stimulation (dust) causes reflex bronchoconstriction of smooth muscle, but heavier inhalations cause cough. Superficial subepithelial irritant receptors are structurally similar to above, but, located in smaller airways, they respond more to chemical irritation and smaller particles (e.g., cigarette smoke). Chemicals or chemical-particulates would have greater effect in small airways. Vagal efferents innervate upper airways but not the peripheral lung, so static lung properties are usually not affected by irritants. Sensitive or sensitized individuals respond at lower irritant thresholds. Reflex effects would affect lung testing with aerosols. Small bronchoactive particles constrict bronchioles. Total airway resistance is little affected, but static properties (especially compliance) are markedly affected. Radiopaque tantalum powder was used to study airway particle deposition and clearance. Semiquantitative radiopacity measurements were used to assess clearance. Reflex bronchoconstriction mediated via vagus involves airways from trachea to bronchioles 0.5 mm in diameter. Inhaled tantalum powder with a mean mass diameter of 2.5 ..mu..m and a density of 14 g/cm/sup 3/ was selectively deposited in orthopharynx, larynx, and at airway bifurcations.

• OSTI ID: 6332365
• Journal Information: Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States) Vol. 131; ISSN AIMDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
ANIMALS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
BODY
BRONCHI
CLEARANCE
COLLOIDS
DEPOSITION
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
EXCRETION
FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LARYNX
LUNG CLEARANCE
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAN
METALS
NERVES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
PARTICLES
PHARYNX
PRIMATES
REFLEXES
REFRACTORY METALS
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SMOKES
SOLS
SPECTROSCOPY
TANTALUM
TOBACCO SMOKES
TRACHEA
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VAGUS
VERTEBRATES