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Background and Objectives:Mucociliary movement of respiratory ciliated epithelium is one of important protective mechanismsin the upper respiratory airway. It is well known that methacholine induces a ciliostimulation. This study designed to investigatethe regulatory mechanism of methacholine induced ciliostimulation. Materials and Method:We investigated in vitroeffect of methacholine, aβ-methyl ester of acetylcholine, and nitric oxide on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of nasal septal mucosaof SD rat. CBF was measured using a video computerized analysis system. Results:Methacholine (10-6 mol/L) increased CBFupto 6 hours with a maximum increase of 44%. Diclofenac inhibited the ciliostimulatory effect of methacholine completely. LNAMEinhibited the increase in CBF by methacholine significantly (p<.05). Conclusion:The results suggest that ciliostimulatoryeffects by methacholine in airway epithelium involves prostaglandin pathway and may be regulated by nitric oxide.(Korean J Otolaryngol 2006;49:517-21)