Publications (2)8.35 Total impact
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Article: Alpha2-macroglobulin and eosinophil cationic protein in the allergic airway mucosa in seasonal allergic rhinitis.
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ABSTRACT: As previously demonstrated in seasonal allergic rhinitis, increased microvascular permeability and eosinophil activation are key features of allergic airway inflammation. In the present study, the hypothesis that exudation of alpha2-macroglobulin may cause the appearance of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the airway lumen was explored. Nasal lavages were carried out using the nasal pool device before and during the pollen season both at baseline and after histamine challenge in 10 children with allergic rhinitis. Nasal lavage fluid levels of alpha2-macroglobulin and ECP were determined. All patients experienced nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis during the pollen season (p<0.01-0.05). Baseline nasal lavage fluid levels of alpha2-macroglobulin and ECP were increased during the season (p<0.01-0.05) and were found to be well correlated (p<0.0001). Histamine produced concentration-dependent plasma exudation before and during the pollen season, but it was only during the pollen season that this caused an increase in the lavage fluid levels of ECP (p<0.05). These data suggest that exudation of plasma and increased tissue levels and output of eosinophil cationic protein characterize nasal mucosal inflammation in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The plasma exudation process in part may account for lumenal entry of eosinophil cationic protein molecules that have been released in mucosal tissue compartments. A combination of induced exudation and nasal lavage may improve the yield of important markers of inflammation in studies of nasal diseases.European Respiratory Journal 04/1999; 13(3):633-7. · 5.89 Impact Factor -
Article: The "nasal pool"-device for challenge and lavage of the nasal mucosa in children: histamine-induced plasma exudation responses.
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ABSTRACT: The accessibility of the nasal airway allows important examination of the airway mucosa in health and disease. However, the current methods for nasal challenge and lavage in children suffer from several shortcomings. In the present study, we have assessed the utility of a recently developed "nasal pool"-device in 7-9 year old children, and explored the ability of the nasal mucosa of these school-children to mount a plasma exudation response (lumenal entry of bulk plasma). Isotonic saline was instilled and maintained (1 min) as a "pool" in the unilateral nasal cavity. Recovery of the "pool" (lavage fluids) was determined. Concomitant challenge and lavage was then performed by exposing the nasal mucosa to a "pool" of isotonic saline and histamine (40-400 micrograms/ml) for 2 min. "Pool" fluids were analysed for alpha 2-macroglobulin as an index of microvascular-epithelial exudation of bulk plasma. The school-children successfully managed to carry out nasal lavages as well as concomitant histamine challenges and lavages with the "nasal pool"-device. The recovery of the nasal lavage fluids was almost quantitative (> 85%) and thus well reproducible. Histamine produced significant exudation of bulk plasma (alpha 2-macroglobulin). We suggest that the "nasal pool"-device is well suited for challenge and lavage of the nasal airway mucosa in children above 6 years of age, and conclude that lumenal entry of multipotent humoural protein-systems may be an important first line respiratory defence mechanism in children.Pediatric Allergy and Immunology 08/1997; 8(3):137-42. · 2.46 Impact Factor
