Effect of ciprofloxacin on ciliary motility of rabbit airway epithelium

To determine the effect of the new quinolone ciprofloxacin on airway ciliary motility, we studied ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of rabbit tracheal epithelium using an in-vitro microphoto-oscillation method. Incubation of the cells with ciprofloxacin increased CBF in a concentration-dependent manner, the maximal increase from the baseline value and the ECs, being 171 ± 2 0 % (P < 001) and 10"77! M, respectively. This ciliary stimulatory effect was not affected by propranolol or indomethacin but was nullified by verapamil. These results suggest that ciprofloxacin probably increases airway epithelial ciliary motility by facilitating Ca2+ influx through a voltage-dependent channel