Neutral endopeptidase (NEP, EC3. 4. 24. 11) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, EC3. 4. 15. 1) have an important role in the regulation of inflammation by cleaving peptides which cause such states. On the other hand, aminopeptidase (AP) may be critical to the generation of bradykinin (BK) in allergic response. We studied the activity and release of nasal mucosa NEP, ACE, and AP in order to improve control of upper-airway neurogenic inflammation.
In the membrane-rich fraction of allergic nasal mucosa, NEP was more abundant than ACE or AP. In the cytosolic fraction, however, AP was more abundant than NEP or ACE. All three enzymes increased their activity in nasal secretion withinn 30 minutes after antigen challenge. AP activity in nasal secretion after antigen challenge was 10 times higher than NEP or ACE activity. These result indicate that NEP have more effect of cleaving neuroptptide than ACE, and also indicate that AP make BK upregulation against the cleavage by ACE. The existence of NEP, ACE, and AP in the nasal mucosa and nasal lavage fluid suggest that these enzymes have some role in the control of neurogenic inflammation in allergic rhinitis.

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Measurement of acoustic rhinometry is becoming popular in Japan. Minimum cross-sectional area or nasal volume is generally used for the evaluation of nasal obstruction in this method. However, several authors reported that these parameters might not reflect accurate anatomical information. On the other hand, the curve of acoustic rhinometry has anatomical meaning because the change of the curve shows a parallel change in nasal mucosa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the benefit of acoustic rhinometry with analysis of the area-distance curve.
Using an acoustic rhinometer (RHIN2100 co. Denmark), eighteen normal subjects and twelve patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were measured by acoustic rhinometry before and after administration of a topical decongestant. The average area-distance curves both at the congested sides and the decongested sides were calculated for normal subjects and for patients.
The results of the average of area-distance curves from 1.5 to 4.0cm showed a statistical difference between normal subjects and patients with allergic rhinitis. However, the average of area distance curves was not statistically different between the decongested side inpatients and the congested side in normal subjects. Therefore, it is important to think about the nasal cycle when acoustic rhinometry is employed, and the normal range of area-distance curve must be determined in order to diagnose nasal obstruction.
In conclusion, acoustic rhinometry is more useful when analysis of the area-distance curve is investigated in addition to nasal cross-sectional area and nasal volume.

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