Effects of guaifenesin, N-acetylcysteine, and ambroxol on MUC5AC and mucociliary transport in primary differentiated human tracheal-bronchial cells

J. C. Seagrave, H. Albrecht, D. B. Hill, D. F. Rogers, G. Solomon

Respiratory Research 2012, 13:98

Purpose:

To examine the effects of guaifenesin (GGE), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and ambroxol (Amb) on MUC5AC content and secretion on EpiAir cell cultures pre-treated with IL-13 to produce MUC5AC

Methods:

• Differentiated human airway epithelial cells (EpiAir cultures) pre-treated with IL-13 to stimulate production of MUC5AC in vitro

• After pre-treatment, cultures were treated with GGE, NAC, or Amb (10-300 μM) in continued presence of IL-13

• Cellular and secreted MUC5AC production assayed by ELISA

• Mucociliary transport rate (MTR) assayed by video data

• Mucus viscosity and elasticity assayed by parallel plate rheometer

Key Findings:

Effects of guaifenesin (GGE), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or ambroxol (Amb) on rheological parameters

Adapted from Seagrave J, et al. Effects of guaifenesin, N-acetylcysteine, and ambroxol on MUC5AC and mucociliary transport in primary differentiated human tracheal-bronchial cells. Respir Res 13, 98 (2012).

Results:

GGE effectively reduces cellular content and secretion of MUC5AC, increases MTR, and alters mucus rheology, and may therefore be useful in treating airway mucus hypersecretion in airway diseases

• IL-13 increased MUC5AC content (~25%) and secretion (~2-fold), decreased MTR, and only slightly affected elasticity and viscosity of secretions

• GGE significantly inhibited MUC5AC secretion and concentration in IL-13-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner

• NAC and Amb were less effective than GGE

• All drugs increased MTR and decreased viscosity and elasticity of mucus relative to IL-13 alone

The CDC describes acute bronchitis as occurring when “the airways of the lungs swell and produce mucus.”¹ This in vitro study modeled that excess mucus production in tracheal bronchial cells by stimulating human airway cells with IL-13, then compared guaifenesin (the active ingredient in MUCINEX®), N-acetylcysteine and ambroxol. Guaifenesin significantly inhibited MUC5AC secretion and content in a dose-dependent manner and was more effective than the other two, and all three drugs increased mucociliary transport and decreased mucus viscosity and elasticity.²

Source:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chest Cold (Acute Bronchitis) Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/acute-bronchitis/about/index.html

2. Effects of guaifenesin, N-acetylcysteine, and ambroxol on MUC5AC and mucociliary transport in primary differentiated human tracheal-bronchial cells. https://respiratory-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1465-9921-13-98