Abstract
In patients with nasal allergy, an isotonic sodium chloride solution, an α-adrenergic receptor stimulator, a β2-adrenergic receptor stimulator and a cholinergic receptor blocker were sprayed at the affected site of the nasal mucosa. Both before and after the spraying, changes in the respiratory resistance of the nose as induced by the nasal mucosal antigen were recorded continuously by the rhinograph. Thus, the effects of these drugs on the hyperresponsiveness of the nasal mucosa responsible for the onset of nasal allergy were grasped objectively and assessed quantitatively. As the results, involvement of the autonomic nerve in the allergic nasal mucosa could be brought to light to some extent, and a clue was obtained for the physiological study clinically on the onset mechanism of nasal allergy.
Measurements were made as follows: Firstly, the respiratory resistance of the nose was measured for the right, left and both nasal cavities using the rhinograph. Then, the antigen disks were attached to the medial and anterior spots of the inferior nasal conchae, and the respiratory resistance of the nose for both sides was measured promptly for 8 minutes and the nasal mucosal induced response curves or the rhinograms were recorded. This was done with each drug, spraying it into both nasal cavities, twice for each side. Fifteen minutes later, the measurements before spraying were repeated.
Evaluation was made on three parameters of the patient: The air passage through nasal cavities Rrs·N immediately before induced nasal resistance; the reactivity ΔRrs·EN due to swelling of the nasal mucosa; and the sensitivity Ta of the nasal mucosa.
The results were that the nasal mucosa was found not to react to the isotonic sodium chloride solution and that the non-reactive drug produced the same wave shape how often the test was repeated. This had demonstrated the reproducibility of the present test method. The α-adrenergic receptor stimulator by its stimulation evaluated the hyperresponsiveness threshold of the nasal mucosa. The β2-adrenergic receptor stimulator by its stimulation reduced the air passage through nasal cavities. While it was not involved in the hyperresponsiveness of the nasal mucosa. Because of its blocking, the cholinergic receptor blocker did not react on the hyperresponsiveness of the nasal mucosa nor did it exert any influence on nasal obstruction.
