RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of ephedrine on human nasal cilia movement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of cultured human nasal epithelial cells was measured by high-speed digital microscopy in HBSS and ephedrine solution of different concentrations in 10 minutes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CBF of cultured nasal epithelial cells exposed to HBSS showed no significant changes in 10 minutes. However, in 2.5 g/L , 5 g/L, 10 g/L and 20 g/L ephedrine solution, CBF increased significantly in 1-2 minutes and reached the apex, then it decreased gradually, at the 10th minute. CBF of the samples exposed to 2.5 g/L and 5 g/L ephedrine solution were slower than those in HBSS, but no significant changes were found. However, in 10 g/L and 20 g/L ephedrine solution, CBF decreased significantly when compared with samples in sHBSS. With the concentrations from 2.5 g/L to 20 g/L ephedrine, the increment was independent on the concentration, the inhibitory effect was dependent on the concentration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In initial time, 2. 5 g/L-20 g/L ephedrine stimulated CBF, then 10 g/L-20 g/L ephedrine inhibited CBF. The stimulation of 2.5 g/L and 5 g/L ephedrine on CBF was longer than that of 10 g/L and 20 g/L ephedrine. 5 g/L ephedrine had maximum stimulatory effect without obvious inhibitory effect on cultured human nasal CBF.</p>