Review Article

Hypertonic Saline in Treatment of Pulmonary Disease in Cystic Fibrosis

Table 1

The reported effects of hypertonic saline on infection and inflammation.

HTS treatmentPatients sample or cellsEffect after HTSReference

7% HTSPatients with CFHigher FEV1 and FVC, less pulmonary exacerbationsElkins et al. 2006 [24]
3% HTSSputum of patients with CFSurfactant protein A increased; neutrophil counts, Staphylococcus aureus and non-mucoid Pseudomonas slightly decreased.Aitken et al. 2003 [54]
Hypertonic mediumHuman bronchial gland cells from CF and healthy controls (isolated from brushings)Increased NaCl increased IL-8, but higher in CF cells (NF-κB pathway activated)Tabary et al. 2000 [55]
Hyperosmolarity (NaCl or mannitol, up to 6x normal)Human bronchial epithelial cellsIncreased IL-8 release via p38 and JNK pathwayHashimoto et al. 1999 [56]
4.5% HTSExhaled breath condensate of patients with asthma or COPD and healthy controlsGreater IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentration, lower pH.Carpagnano et al. 2005 [57]
Hypertonic mediumPeripheral blood neutrophilsHTS inhibited neutrophil priming of respiratory burst by LTB4 and arachidonic acidLee et al. 2011 [58]
Hypertonic mediumPeripheral blood mononuclear cellsReduced LPS induced mTOR pathway activation in HTS treated cellsSchaeffer et al. 2010 [59]
7% HTSBronchial samplesIncreased antioxidant levels in BAL fluidGould et al. 2010 [60]
7% HTSSputum from patients with CFDecreased IL-8 concentration in sputum after HTSReeves et al. 2011 [23]
7% HTSSputum from patients with CFLL-37 complexation to GAGs was decreased after HTS and antimicrobial properties of sputa restoredBergsson et al. 2009 [21]
2–7% HTS in culture mediumPseudomonas strain PA01 and mucoid strain FRD1Reduced motility and growth of all strains testedHavasi et al. 2008 [22]
0–0.8 M NaCl added to mediumPseudomonas strain PA01 and mucA mutantMucA mutant less resistant to osmotic stressBehrends et al. 2010 [67]