Biochemical analysis of nasal secretions induced by methacholine, histamine, and allergen provocations.
Nasal provocation tests with methacholine, histamine, and allergen were performed outside the pollen season in 26 pollen-allergic subjects with the aim of sampling nasal secretions for biochemical characterization. Sugar analyses showed that methacholine-induced secretions were a mixture of serous and mucous glycoproteins. Compared with published sputum values, the levels of proteins and sugars were approximately 5 times lower in the methacholine-induced secretions (protein, 6 mg/ml; hexose, 2 mg/ml), whereas the albumin concentrations were comparable (1 mg/ml). Histamine-induced secretions as well contained a mixture of serous and mucous glycoproteins and a high albumin level (3 mg/ml), indicating a relatively higher degree of transudation than in methacholine- and allergen-induced secretions. Allergen-induced secretions had a low dry weight (mean, 19 mg/g; p less than 0.05) and protein (mean, 4 mg/ml; p less than 0.01) content compared with that in methacholine- and histamine-induced secretions; they contained mainly mucous glycoprotein, and the albumin level was relatively low. Thus, nasal secretions have lower dry weight, sugar and protein content than does sputum; histamine provokes marked transudation; methacholine and allergen do not; methacholine and histamine produce a mixture of serous and mucous glycoproteins; allergen produces mainly mucous glycoproteins.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D000485:Allergens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006601:Hexoses / Q000378:metabolism; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D008688:Methacholine Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism
D000418:Albumins; D000485:Allergens; D006601:Hexoses; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008688:Methacholine Compounds; D011506:Proteins; D013431:Sulfates; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D006632:Histamine