ISSN:
1398-9995
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The concentration of biomarkers from vessels and inflammatory cells in nasal lavage fluid reflects the degree of hyperresponsiveness in patients with allergic rhinitis. The lavage has usually been performed of both nasal cavities together after prewashings and administration of decongestants. To improve the technique, we introduced a modification involving lavage of the nasal cavities separately without any prewashings or decongestants. We challenged 20 rhinitic subjects sensitive to timothy unilaterally with timothy extract. In nasal lavages performed before, immediately after, and 6 h after the challenge, we determined the concentrations of albumin, histamine, bradykinin, TAME (TV-α-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester)-esterase, and leukotriene C4 (LTC4). In eight subjects, the procedure was repeated 1 and 2 weeks later. After the challenge, albumin, bradykinin, TAME-esterase, and LTC4 in the nasal lavage fluid increased on the ipsilateral side but not on the Contralateral side. Histamine did not increase after antigen challenge. After 6 h, the biomarkers were not increased. The concentrations of biomarkers did not differ between sides before the challenge and not between visits. Thus, the modified nasal lavage technique is reliable and improved compared to previous methods because it involves reproducible determinations of different biomarkers, and it is simple and easy to perform.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1398-9995.1995.tb01153.x
