Chemosensory irritation and the lung

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Occupational Health
• Immunology

Background:

• Airway irritation involves complex reflex mechanisms mediated by specific nerve fibers.
• Workplace respiratory irritants are linked to asthma development, including reactive airways dysfunction syndrome and irritant-induced asthma.
• Exposure symptoms depend on irritant properties like aggregate characteristics, water solubility, and dose.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms of airway irritation and its relation to asthma.
• To outline methods for assessing pulmonary function and airway inflammation following irritant exposure.
• To discuss novel non-invasive techniques for monitoring airway inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Review of reflex mechanisms in airway irritation.
• Description of pulmonary function tests (spirometry, bronchial responsiveness).
• Discussion of inflammatory markers (bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, exhaled air).

Main Results:

• Tracheal and bronchial C fibres and rapidly adapting fibres mediate cough, bronchoconstriction, and mucosal vasodilation.
• High exposure to irritants can induce new-onset asthma.
• Various methods exist to measure pulmonary function and airway inflammation, with exhaled air markers being a non-invasive option.

Conclusions:

• Airway irritation triggers significant physiological responses and can lead to occupational asthma.
• Pulmonary function testing and inflammatory markers are crucial for diagnosis and monitoring.
• Further research is needed to validate the diagnostic and prognostic value of novel non-invasive inflammatory markers in exhaled air.