[Laryngeal mucociliary clearance: influence of beta-2 agonists, beta antagonists, and alpha-agonists. An experimental study in rabbits].

Laryngeal mucociliary clearance was studied in 35 rabbit larynxes in the immediate post mortem period using charcoal powder. Mucociliary currents flowed from the subglottic walls to the posterior commissure. The normal laryngeal mucociliary clearance rate was 3.7 +/- 1.1 mm/min. Salbutamol accelerated mucociliary clearance (p < 0.01). Propranolol significantly reduced the mucociliary clearance rate (p < 0.001). Mucociliary clearance was not observed in any methoxamine-treated larynxes.