Epithelial shedding is associated with nasal reactions to cold, dry air - 20/08/11
Reprint requests: Alkis Togias, MD, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, Unit Office 7, Baltimore, MD 21224-6801.Baltimore, Md, Bahia, Brazil, Chicago, Ill, and Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Abstract |
Background |
Cold, dry air (CDA) can cause symptoms of rhinitis and obstructive airway responses. The pathophysiology of these reactions is not understood. One hypothesis is that the respiratory mucosa of individuals with CDA sensitivity cannot compensate for the loss of water that occurs on exposure to the stimulus, leading to epithelial damage.
Objective |
To test for an association between nasal reactions to CDA and the number of epithelial cells recovered in nasal fluids.
Methods |
Ten CDA-sensitive subjects received nasal provocations with CDA and warm, moist air; 10 CDA-insensitive subjects received CDA; and 10 subjects with allergic rhinitis received allergen and diluent challenges. Nasal lavage cytology was performed at baseline and after the challenge. Symptoms were recorded and histamine, [3H]-N-⍺-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester-esterase activity, tryptase, and albumin were assayed in nasal lavages.
Results |
A 6-fold increase in nasal lavage epithelial cells was found in the CDA-sensitive group after CDA (P < .01), but not after warm, moist air. No changes were observed in the CDA-insensitive group, or after allergen or diluent in allergic rhinitis.
Conclusion |
Epithelial cell shedding accompanies clinical responses to CDA in the human nose. This supports the hypothesis that the airway mucosa of CDA-sensitive individuals cannot compensate for the water loss that occurs under extreme conditions leading to epithelial damage.
Clinical implications |
A defect in mucosal water homeostasis may need to be considered in individuals who get excessive nasal symptoms when exposed to cold and dry, windy environment.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : Hyperosmolarity, hypertonicity, nasal allergen provocation, nasal lavage, nasal challenge
Abbreviations used : CDA, WMA
Plan
| Supported by grants PO1 AI 37163, RO1DC02714, and RO1AI08270 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, and from CAPES (Ministry of Education), Brazil. Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: A. Cruz has received grants from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Federal Government of Brazil. R. Naclerio has consultant arrangements with Aventis, Merck, Schering, GlaxoSmithKline, Altana, and Dey; has received grants from GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Corixa, and Novartis; and is on the speakers’ bureau for Merck and Aventis. D. Proud has received grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Procter & Gamble. The rest of the authors have declared that they have no conflict of interest. |
Vol 117 - N° 6
P. 1351-1358 - juin 2006 Retour au numéro
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