title: Cold dry air-induced rhinitis: effect of inhalation and exhalation through the nose.
abstract: Ten subjects with a history of cold air-induced nasal symptoms participated in a randomized two-period crossover study to evaluate the occurrence and magnitude of the reaction induced by inhalation and exhalation of cold dry air through the nose. The protocol involved breathing of either warm moist or cold dry air for 45 min at resting breathing rates. The nasal response was quantified by determining the amount of produced secretions as well as by measuring histamine and N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl (TAME) esterase activities in recovered nasal lavage fluids. Symptom scores were obtained. Warm moist air did not increase symptoms nor did it result in any significant changes in secretions or mediator levels. Compared with baseline, cold dry air induced significant rhinorrhea and increased both secretion weights (9.6 +/- 1.3 vs. 28.1 +/- 6.5 mg; P = 0.01) and the levels of histamine (3.9 +/- 1.2 vs. 10.6 +/- 2.7 ng/ml; P = 0.02) and TAME esterase activity (3.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 7.0 +/- 2.0 counts.min-1.10(-3); P = 0.01). We conclude that bidirectional nasal breathing of cold dry air results in a reaction that is qualitatively similar to that induced when air is only inhaled through the nose and exhaled through the mouth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Naclerio
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Proud
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kagey-Sobotka
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lichtenstein
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Togias
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006632:Histamine; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; C023073:tosylarginine methyl ester hydrolase