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Nasal hyperosmolar challenge with a dry powder of mannitol in patients with allergic rhinitis. Evidence for epithelial cell involvement
Author(s) -
Koskela H.,
Di Sciascio M. B.,
Anderson S. D.,
Andersson M.,
Chan H.K.,
Gadalla S.,
Katelaris C.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2000.00923.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tryptase , mast cell , provocation test , neurogenic inflammation , mannitol , immunology , mucous membrane of nose , nasal administration , prostaglandin d2 , nasal lavage , allergy , substance p , gastroenterology , anesthesia , pathology , prostaglandin , chemistry , receptor , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , neuropeptide
Background The responses to airway hyperosmolar challenges probably involve various inflammatory mediators. However, it is not fully understood which cell type/types are the source of these mediators. Potential cell types include mast cell, epithelial cell and the sensory c‐fibre nerve cell. Objective To clarify which cell types are involved with the mediator response to hyperosmolarity in the human airway. Methods Ten healthy subjects, 11 patients with nonactive allergic rhinitis, and nine with active allergic rhinitis were challenged intranasally with mannitol powder, and with sham provocation, on separate days. Symptoms were assessed by visual analogue scales and nasal patency by measuring the nasal peak inspiratory flow (nPIF). Nasal lavage fluid levels of α 2 ‐macroglobulin (an index of plasma extravasation), substance P (an index of sensory nerve cell activation), tryptase (an index of mast cell activation) and 15‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15–HETE, an index of epithelial cell activation) were analysed. Results Immediate, although transient burning was the most prominent symptom in all groups whereas only the patients with active rhinitis experienced a fall in nPIF. Mannitol significantly increased the nasal lavage fluid 15‐HETE levels in the allergic patients ( P < 0.01 vs the sham challenge), but not in the healthy subjects. The increase in 15‐HETE correlated with nasal symptoms for itching ( r s = 0.65, P = 0.019) and burning ( r s = 0.72, P = 0.009). Detectable levels of tryptase was found only in five allergic subjects. Lavage levels of substance P and α 2 ‐macroglobulin did not not change. Conclusion Epithelial cell seems to be involved with the mediator response to airway hyperosmolar challenge. The roles of sensory c‐fibre nerve cell and mast cell remained less clear.