Changes in nasal mucosal blood flux and air-flow resistance on unilateral histamine challenge.
To investigate reflex vascular control in the nose, we challenged each side of the nose with 0.9% saline and histamine (0.3 mg aqueous) and observed changes in unilateral nasal airway resistance (Rnaw) and laser doppler flux (LDF) in response to contra-lateral and ipsilateral challenge in eight normal subjects. Preliminary studies demonstrated that the preferred site for observation of LDF was the nasal septum (same-day concordance 0.920; inferior turbinate 0.307). Ipsilateral contra-lateral saline induced no significant change to either parameter. Ipsilateral histamine produced a highly significant rise in LDF (757 arbitrary units SEM 94 at 3 min; baseline 489 SEM 75: P < 0.05) and Rnaw (baseline: 3.10, SEM 0.52; 5 min: 8.81, SEM 2.09 cmH2O/l/s: P < 0.01). Contra-lateral histamine produced a significant P < 0.05) fall in both (LDF 317, SEM 24 at 3 min; Rnaw 2.67, SEM 0.78 cm H2O/l/s at 6 min). This previously unrecorded observation suggests a neural reflex that increases the patency of the contra-lateral nostril after unilateral obstruction is provoked.
Birchall
M A
MA
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, UK.
Schroter
R C
RC
Pride
N B
NB
D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000098:blood supply
D006632:Histamine