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Mediator release after allergic and physical nasal challenges.
International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Allergic reactions trigger nasal symptoms and mediator release. Immunotherapy reduces allergic response severity and mediator levels in patients challenged with allergens.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Rhinology
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis involves rapid onset of sneezing, rhinorrhea, and airway obstruction upon allergen exposure.
- Nasal secretions contain mediators like histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandin D2 (PgD2), kinins, and TAME-esterase during allergic responses.
- Late-phase allergic reactions can occur 3-11 hours later, with similar mediators but typically without PgD2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediators involved in allergic and cold-induced rhinitis.
- To evaluate the effects of immunotherapy on allergic nasal responses and mediator release.
Main Methods:
- Intranasal allergen challenge in sensitive subjects.
- Nasal challenge with cold, dry air in subjects sensitive to cold.
- Analysis of nasal washings for mediator concentrations (histamine, leukotrienes, PgD2, kinins, TAME-esterase).
- Assessment of allergic response and mediator levels before and after immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Allergen challenge induced rapid release of histamine, leukotrienes, PgD2, kinins, and TAME-esterase.
- Cold air challenge also triggered symptoms and the release of histamine, PgD2, TAME-esterase, and leukotrienes.
- Immunotherapy increased the threshold for allergic response and reduced the amount of mediators released.
Conclusions:
- Both allergen and cold stimuli can induce rhinitis symptoms and mediator release.
- Immunotherapy effectively modulates the allergic nasal response, reducing symptom severity and mediator production.