Background. The dry aerosol of sodium chloride with a predominant fraction of respirable particles is the main factor of action of the inhalation therapy which was given the name of halotherapy. The goal of this work was to study effects of the dry, fine-grained sodium chloride aerosol on the functional state of mucosal epithelium as well as on vital capability and biological properties of microorganisms.

Methods. As a test culture, we used the standard S. рneumoniae strain, whose properties were studied in an experimental aerosol chamber.

Properties of the respiratory tract epithelium were studied using a model of pharyngeal epithelium cells obtained from 10 healthy volunteers before and after inhalation of the dry sodium chloride aerosol. As a control, an aerosol of 0.9% sodium chloride solution was used.

Results. It has been established that the dry, fine-grained sodium chloride aerosol produces an inhibitory effect on growth and vital capability of microorganisms and changes their biological properties. After exposition to the aerosol there was observed an increase of the electrophysiological functional activity of the epithelial cells and a rise of their colonizational resistance.

Conclusions. The data obtained indicate a favorable effect of the dry, fine-grained sodium chloride aerosol on protective properties of mucosa epithelium and an increase of the macroorganism unspecific defense.