THE LACK OF EFFECT OF BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE ON THE CILIA OF THE NASAL-MUCOSA IN PATIENTS WITH PERENNIAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS - A COMBINED FUNCTIONAL, LIGHT, SCANNING AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY STUDY

Background Controversy still exists about the effect of 0.02% benzalko nium chloride (BKC), a preservative in many nasal sprays, on human nas al epithelium in vivo. Objective To determine the safety of BKC by ass essing its effect on the function and morphology of cilia of human nas al epithelium. Methods A single-centre, double-blind nasal biopsy stud y in 22 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, receiving fluticaso ne propionate aqueous nasal spray (FPANS) containing BKC, BKC plus pla cebo or placebo alone for 6 weeks. Before, at two weekly intervals dur ing treatment and 2 weeks after treatment ceased an indigocarmine sacc harine transport time (ICST) was performed. Results ICST results did n ot significantly vary between the groups. There was no statistical rel ationship between the number of ciliated cells present and the treatme nt the patients received. Scanning and transmission electron microscop y examination showed no effects of BKC. Conclusion Despite reports of its ciliostatic effects in vitro, BKC did not have such an effect when it was applied for 6 weeks (with/without fluticasone propionate) to t he nasal mucosa of perennial allergic rhinitis patients in vivo.