Serum neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) during aspirin-induced bronchoconstriction

In order to determine mast cell involvement in aspirin-induced bronchoconstriction, 16 aspirin-sensitive asthmatics and 18 control patients were studied for serum neutrophil chemotactic activity, using Nelsons method, before and after oral aspirin administration. A significant increase in NCA was observed in 6 aspirin-sensitive asthmatics during aspirin bronchoconstriction. In two persons the increase was lower. In the remaining 8 persons, no increase in NCA was observed during aspirin bronchoconstriction. None of the control patients exhibited an increase in NCA. The authors assume that, in some of the patients with aspirin-induced bronchoconstriction mast cells are really involved.