STATIONARY AND NONSTATIONARY CORRELATION-FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF HETERODYNE MODE LASER-LIGHT SCATTERING - MAGNITUDE AND PERIODICITY OF CANINETRACHEAL CILIARY BEAT FREQUENCY IN-VIVO

Stationary and nonstationary correlation-frequency analysis of heterod yne laser light scattering were utilized to make automated, on-line, o bjective measurements of tracheal ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in inta ct, anesthetized canines. The stationary correlation-frequency analysi s laser light-scattering technique was used to assess the magnitude of the CBF stimulatory responses induced by aerosolized 10(-5) M fenoter ol (sympathomimetic), and 10(-8) M and 10(-6) M methacholine (parasymp athomimetic) delivered to the whole lungs of eight barbiturate-anesthe tized beagles. The nonstationary correlation-frequency analysis laser light-scattering technique was used to measure the effect on tracheal CBF of increasing the cytosolic calcium ion concentration with a calci um ionophore, A23187. Aerosolized A23187 was delivered to the isolated tracheal lumens of eight beagle dogs in cumulative doses ranging from 10(-9) M to 10(-6) M. Administration of the ionophore synchronized th e CBF with a period of 5.3 min. Dose dependencies were observed in bot h the time to the peak CBF stimulation and the magnitude of the stimul atory response. The magnitude of CBF stimulation was inhibited by prio r administration of aerosolized nifedipine (2 mg/ml), a voltage-operat ed calcium channel blocker. The A23187-induced modulation period of tr acheal CBF, was unchanged by nifedipine. These are the first data to d emonstrate that the magnitude and periodicity of CBF are two independe nt coupled processes. The cooperativity of these two processes could b e determinant in the effectiveness of mucociliary transport.