Patent ID: 6133247
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: A61K,A61P

Abstract:
A method of facilitating the obtaining of a mucus sample from at least one lung of a subject, comprising:administering a physiologically acceptable salt to at least one lung of said subject in an amount effective to stimulate mucus secretion therein, and/or stimulate cilia beat frequency therein;concurrently administering to said at least one lung of said subject, in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions therein, a compound of Formula (I) below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: ##STR2## wherein: X.sub.1, X.sub.2, and X.sub.3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OH and SH;R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of O, imido, methylene, and dihalomethylene; andR.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H and Br; and then collecting a mucus sample from said at least one lung of said subject.