A ROLE OF LYSOSOMAL ENZYMES IN THE MECHANISM OF MUCOLYTIC ACTION OF BROMHEXINE

The effect of bromhexine on behaviors of lysosomal enzymes in the submucosal gland was investigated using canine tracheal slice preparations, with reference to the histochemical changes in acid glycoproteins (AGP) in the gland. Incubation of tracheal slices with 1% Triton X-100 or 0.0004-0.04% bromhexine for 30 min decreased the number of stained lysosomes in the glandular cells. The decrease in stained lysosomes after treatment with 1% Triton X-100 or 0.04% bromhexine was effectively prevented by addition of 5% lecithin. The number of glandular cells that were stained red (stain index R) in the combined alcian blue at pH 2.5 and periodic acid-Schiff procedure markedly increased by treatment with 1% Triton X-100 or 0.0004-0.04% bromhexine. In the bromhexine treated groups, there was a close correlation (r=0.932, P