Effects of exercise on nasal resistance and nasal blood flow

Nasal resistance and nasal blood flow were measured consecutively before exercise, immediately after exercise, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after exercise in 11 normal subjects and 18 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Nasal resistance was measured by Nihon-Koden Rhinorheograph MRP 2100, and nasal blood flow was measured by Periflux PF2, a laser doppler flowmeter. 77% of unilateral nasal cavities in normal subjects and 75% of unilateral cavities in patients with allergic rhinitis showed a decrease of both nasal resistance and nasal blood flow immediately after exercise. However, rates of changes in nasal resistance and in nasal blood flow were not correlated with each other. In the latter period after exercise, there was a discrepancy between nasal resistance and nasal blood flow. A laser doppler flowmeter is considered to measure blood flow in the superficial part of the nasal mucosa. Based upon our results, an intensive stimulus such as exercise seems to induce vasoconstriction in the superficial part as well as in the deeper part of the nasal mucosa. However, it is also suggested that the vessels in the various parts of the nasal mucosa don't always respond in the same way.