Ability of histamine to increase nasal mucosal permeability to macromolecules in guinea pigs

The effect of histamine on nasal mucosal permeability against an antigen was investigated by using modified passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reactions in normal and actively sensitized guinea pigs. The administration of a dinitrophenyl-coupled Ascaris (DNP-Ascaris) solution as an antigen into the nasal cavity caused PCA reactions in the dorsal skin of normal guinea pigs. The administration of histamine into the nasal cavity before the antigen treatment significantly enhanced the anaphylactic responses. The PCA reactions did not occur when ovalbumin (OA) was administered intranasally in normal guinea pigs. In guinea pigs sensitized against DNP-Ascaris, however, PCA reactions to anti-OA antiserum were elicited by the intranasal administration of OA. The intranasal administration of histamine before the antigen treatment also enhanced anaphylactic responses in sensitized guinea pigs. These results indicate that histamine increases nasal mucosal permeability and that this may be one of the causes of nasal hypersensitivity in nasal allergy.