Related Experiment Videos
Histamine receptors in the human nose
Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Histamine receptors in the nose play a key role in allergic rhinitis symptoms. H2-receptor activation predominantly impacts nasal airway resistance, with heightened sensitivity observed in rhinitis patients.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Allergology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Histamine receptors are implicated in nasal physiological responses.
- Understanding their specific roles is crucial for managing allergic rhinitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the function of histamine receptors (H1 and H2) in the nasal cavity.
- To compare the effects of histamine and its selective agonists on nasal symptoms and airway resistance.
Main Methods:
- Intranasal challenges with histamine, H1-agonist (betahistine), and H2-agonist (impromidine).
- Assessment of nasal symptoms (sneezing, irritation, hypersecretion).
- Measurement of nasal airway resistance (Rna) using passive anterior rhinomanometry in healthy individuals and rhinitis patients.
Main Results:
- Histamine and betahistine induced sneezing, nasal irritation, and hypersecretion.
- Histamine, betahistine, and impromidine all increased Rna in both groups.
- The H2-receptor mediated increase in Rna was more pronounced than the H1-receptor effect.
- Individuals with rhinitis exhibited greater sensitivity to all tested agonists.
Conclusions:
- Histamine H1 receptors mediate nasal symptoms like sneezing and hypersecretion.
- Histamine H2 receptors play a predominant role in increasing nasal airway resistance.
- Rhinitis patients show enhanced nasal reactivity to histamine receptor agonists.