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Bronchoconstriction induced by inhaled adenosine 5'-monophosphate in subjects with allergic rhinitis

L Prieto1, V Gutiérrez, J Liñana

  • 1Sección de Alergología and Universidad de Valencia, Spain.

Insights

Inhaled adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) causes airway narrowing in allergic rhinitis patients more than healthy individuals. AMP hyperresponsiveness in allergic rhinitis suggests distinct airway abnormalities compared to methacholine.

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Pulmonology
  • Allergy and Immunology

Background:

  • Adenosine and adenosine 5 '-monophosphate (AMP) are known to cause bronchoconstriction in asthmatics, potentially via histamine release from mast cells.
  • Allergic rhinitis is associated with airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, but the role of specific bronchoconstrictors like AMP is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of inhaled adenosine 5 '-monophosphate (AMP) on lung function in individuals with allergic rhinitis.
  • To compare the prevalence of AMP-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic rhinitis patients versus healthy controls and asthmatics.

Main Methods:

  • A total of 52 adults (28 with allergic rhinitis, 14 asthmatics, 10 healthy controls) underwent bronchial challenges with increasing concentrations of AMP and methacholine.
  • Airflow was measured, and the provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in forced expired volume in one second (PC20) was determined for each agent.

Main Results:

  • All asthmatics and 10 subjects with allergic rhinitis were hyperresponsive to AMP, while healthy controls were not.
  • The prevalence of AMP hyperresponsiveness was significantly higher in subjects with allergic rhinitis compared to healthy controls (p=0.038).
  • While similar proportions of allergic rhinitis subjects showed hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (39%) and AMP (36%), there was discordance, with some individuals responsive to one but not the other.

Conclusions:

  • Inhaled adenosine 5 '-monophosphate (AMP) induces airway narrowing in a significantly greater proportion of individuals with allergic rhinitis than in healthy volunteers.
  • Hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and AMP in allergic rhinitis patients are not always concurrent, indicating potentially different underlying airway abnormalities.
  • These findings suggest that AMP may be a valuable tool for assessing distinct airway pathophysiology in allergic rhinitis.

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