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Nasal secretory response to allergen provocation.
1Department of Microbiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown.
Clinical Allergy
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Nasal provocation with ragweed pollen triggered significant increases in nasal lavage fluid proteins and enzymes in sensitive individuals. This study quantifies the allergic nasal secretory response to allergen challenges.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Nasal Physiology
- Biochemical Analysis
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis affects a significant portion of the population.
- Understanding the nasal response to allergens is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Quantifying the immediate biochemical changes in the nasal cavity following allergen exposure is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate nasal secretory response to ragweed pollen allergen provocation.
- To assess specific biochemical markers in nasal lavage fluid after allergen challenge.
- To establish a method for quantifying the nasal response in ragweed-sensitive individuals.
Main Methods:
- Nasal provocation with ragweed pollen extract in sensitive and non-atopic subjects.
- Collection of nasal lavage fluids 15 minutes post-saline and allergen challenges.
- Assay of lavage fluids for total protein, albumin, potassium, lysozyme, and peroxidase activity.
Main Results:
- Non-atopic subjects showed no significant changes in lavage fluid constituents after allergen provocation.
- Ragweed-sensitive subjects exhibited significant increases in total protein, albumin, potassium, lysozyme, and peroxidase activity post-allergen challenge.
- These findings indicate a robust and measurable nasal secretory response in allergic individuals.
Conclusions:
- Nasal allergen provocation effectively elicits a measurable secretory response in sensitive individuals.
- Assaying nasal lavage fluid for specific proteins and enzyme activities is a viable method to quantify this response.
- This approach offers a simple mechanism for assessing allergic rhinitis activity.
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