[Influence of reserpine on the nasal mucous membrane (author's transl)]

The influence of reserpine on the nasal mucous membrane in the various conditions of its autonomic denervation was investigated in the rabbits. Histochemical analysis of a acetylcholine esterase and quantitative measurements of acetylcholine were performed. The results point out that reserpine influence is found only on the vascular elements in the mucous membrane and not on the subepithelial glands. Analogically it was concluded that in some patients with arterial hypertension who were treated with reserpine, its side effect, nasal obstruction, was caused only by vasodilatation. In rhinitis vasomotorica, in the addition to the vasodilatation the abounding secretion of subepithelial mucous glands is present. The performed experiments also point out that resection of the vidian nerve in resistant cases of vasomotor rhinitis with aboundant secretion is reasonable.