Nonspecific Mucosal Responsiveness to Acetylcholine Chloride in Nasal Allergy

Abstract

An acetylcholine sensitivity test for nonspecific hyperresponsiveness of the nasal mucosa was established using a fluorescein-stained thread to measure the volume of nasal discharge. This sensitivity test was useful for detecting nonspecific hyperresponsiveness of the nasal gland using acetylcholine chloride at a low concentration, eliminating trigeminal nerve triggering. Ten μ L of acetylcholine chloride in physiological saline at a concentration of one μg/mL was dripped on the anterior portion of the inferior turbinate after aspirating retained nasal discharge, and the nasal discharge provoked within one minute was measured using a fluorescein-stained thread. The mean dye migration distance was 0.87 ± 4.52 mm in normal subjects (n = 15), which was significantly less than that of subjects with house-dust nasal allergy,11.57 ± 9.25 mm (n = 30). Nasal symptoms and nasal findings of nasal allergy subjects were compared with the dye migration distance. The distance was related to the frequency of nose blowing, severity of nasal symptoms, degree of swelling in the nasal turbinates and color of the nasal turbinates. Acetylcholine sensitivity of the nasal mucosa was higher in nasal allergy subjects and reflected nonspecific responsiveness of the nasal mucosa.