抄録
This study evaluates the effect of serratiopeptidase (SER), a proteolytic enzyme, on the viscoelasticity of nasal mucus in adult patients with chronic sinusitis. SER was administered in a dose of 30mg/day orally for four weeks. Sixteen specimens of mucus were collected from each side of the nasal cavity of the 11 patients before (week 0) and four weeks after the start of the administration (week 4).
The storage modulus (G') and dynamic viscosity (η') of each specimen of nasal mucus were determined by an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20Hz at a constant temperature of 25°C.
The dynamic viscosity (η') of the mucus at week 4 was significantly lower than at week 0 (at frequencies of 5, 10 and 20Hz). No significant difference was observed in the storage modulus (G') between the mucus at week 0 and week 4. Thus SER reduces viscosity but not in elasticity and is considered to be a useful drug in the conservative treatment of chronic sinusitis.
