The effect of a substituted benzylamine (Bisolvon^®) on mucosubstance production

Summary

Histochemical staining reactions were used to evaluate the effect of N-cyclohexyl-N-methyl-(2-amino-3,5-dibromobenzyl)-ammonium-chloride (Bisolvon^®) on the secretory pattern of mucosubstances in the guinea pig's tracheobronchial and duodenal mucosa and submaxillary salivary gland. Treatment with Bisolvon produced an alteration of the synthesis of acid mucosubstances, as a result of which the secretory material in the tracheal mucosa consisted largely of neutral periodate reactive material, with depletion of acid residues. Larger doses of Bisolvon caused a significant decrease in the total number of goblet cells with secretory material in the trachea, and especially in the number of goblet cells containing sulphated mucosubstances. This does not imply any decrease in the amount of the secretion; on the contrary, it may be due to increased mobilization of the secretory products from the cells. The histochemical tests failed to demonstrate any changes in the secretion pattern of the submaxillary salivary glands or duodenal goblet cells.