title: The effect of methacholine on nasal transmucosal potential difference in normal human subjects.
abstract: This study was proposed to test the hypothesis that the parasympathetic system might attribute to the transmucosal potential difference. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study six volunteers had nasal transmucosal potential difference (NTPD) recorded at 4-min intervals during 12-min periods of rest, before and after treatment, as well as during exercise and recovery. Application of placebo did not significantly alter NTPD at rest. There was a significant rise during exercise (p < 0.05). The application of methacholine significantly increased NTPD at rest (p < 0.01); there was a further rise during exercise (p < 0.02). We conclude that parasympathetic stimulation can increase the transmucosal potential difference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cinnamond
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Stanford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D016210:Methacholine Chloride