Effect of bromhexine, ambroxol, and placebo on clinical and histopathological changes in "Sjögren" mice.

Hybrids of New Zealand black and New Zealand white mice were used in an animal model for Sjögren's syndrome. The animals were treated with bromhexine (Bisolvon), ambroxol (Mucosolvan), or placebo from their 20th week of life for 10-17 weeks. The parotic glands were examined in a masked fashion by light and transmission electron microscopy after treatment. Significant inhibition of pathological changes in the parotic glands was observed by both methods in hybrids receiving 60 mg/kg bromhexine. Other types of treatment had no effect. In addition, the animals receiving the high dosage of bromhexine had a significantly higher survival rate than other hybrids.