title: A model of allergic nasal congestion in dogs sensitized to ragweed.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acoustic rhinometry is a noninvasive method that uses sound waves to measure dimensions of the nasal cavity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, nasal patency was measured by acoustic rhinometry in allergic Beagle dogs sensitized to ragweed allergen. Ragweed (0.03-0.3%) or vehicle were administered intranasally in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The instillation of ragweed caused a dose-related decrease in nasal cavity volume and minimal cross-sectional area (Amin) without adverse systemic effects. Nasal cavity volume and Amin decreased within 30 minutes after instillation of the highest ragweed dose by 35.1 +/- 6.0% and 66.4 +/- 13.8%, respectively, and persisted for at least 90 minutes. Oral administration of alpha-adrenergic agonist, d-pseudoephedrine (3 mg/kg), or histamine H1 antagonist chlorpheniramine (10 mg/ kg) blocked the ragweed-induced nasal congestion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the canine model may be used to study upper-airway diseases such as allergic rhinitis and to evaluate the pharmacologic activity of nasal decongestants.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Immunology Program, Lovelace Respiratory, Research Institute Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108, USA.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rudolph
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bice
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hey
authors.forename: Robbie L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: McLeod
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D031164:Ambrosia; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002744:Chlorpheniramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D002744:Chlorpheniramine; D004809:Ephedrine; D010100:Oxygen