The effects of intravenously administered methylxanthines on the proportion of goblet cells containing fucosylated glycoconjugates in rabbit tracheal epithelium.

The proportion of goblet cells containing various fucosylated glycoconjugates was evaluated with the use of lectin histochemistry in rabbit tracheal epithelium at 15 and 30 min after intravenous administration of either aminophylline (Syntophyllin) or a mixture of etophylline and theophylline (Oxantil). Methylxanthine derivatives are nonspecific inhibitors of phosphodiesterases that are used to treat bronchial asthma; the proportion of fucosylated glycoconjugates strongly affects rheologic properties of respiratory tract mucus. It is concluded that administration of Syntophyllin dramatically lowered the proportion of goblet cells containing fucosylated glycoconjugates in rabbit tracheal epithelium, especially at 30 min after exposure. This decrease was strongest in the levels of alpha(1-2)-fucosylated glycoconjugates. Therefore, Syntophyllin substantially altered the composition and viscoelastic properties of mucus of the upper respiratory tract. The vasodilator Oxantil exerted less pronounced changes in the proportion of goblet cells, but the strongest effect was again found in the levels of alpha(1-2)-fucosylated glycoconjugates.