Treatment of mucus hypersecretion in human disease.

Treatment of mucus hypersecretion in human disease should first be directed at 
prevention. The hypersecretion of mucus, even in the absence of pus 
in the sputum or of other signs of infection, is of 
itself associated with significantly poor lung function. Infection is probably the 
important stimulus in cystic fibrosis. Certain anti-inflammatory agents are now known 
to cause retention of mucus within the secretory cells although the 
rate of synthesis is not raised. It may be that this 
offers a new way of control. On the other hand, the 
cells become larger and this may be undesirable. I would prefer 
to see a study of the effect of drugs on the 
cellular stages of synthesis and discharge rather than concentration on mucolytic 
agents. 