[Immunohistochemical study on three peptidergic terminals in nasal mucosa in a rat AR model]

To study the density alterations of three peptidergic terminals in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR), an exhaustive immunohistochemical sutdy on the changes of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB) in nasal mucosa was carried out in a toluene-2, 4-isocyanate (TDI)-induced rat AR model. The densities of all three tachykininergic terminals in nasal mucosa were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in experimental group as compared with control group. Increased staining, thickening of peptidergic terminals as well as enlargement of varicosities were observed. The increased densities of three tachykininergic terminals (SP, NKA and NKB) in nasal mucosa in rat AR model indicates that tachykinins play an important role in the pathogenesis of AR.