Takeshi Nabe (1), Kaname Shimizu (1), Nobuaki Mizutani (1), Yuji Saeki
(1), Hideki Yamamura (1), Hiroshi Takenaka (2) and Shigekatsu Kohno (1)
(1) Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi
Misasagi, Yamashina, Kyoto 607, Japan
(2) Department of Otorhinolaringology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki,
Osaka 569, Japan
Abstract: In the majority of the models of experimental allergic
rhinitis, antigen challenge has been performed by single topical instillation
or perfusion with the solution. The present study was performed to establish
a good model using Japanese cedar pollen, which is able to repeatedly induce
allergy restricted to the upper airway. Guinea pigs sensitized with the
pollen extracts were subjected to quantitative and repeated inhaling of
the pollen with a devised apparatus. Following the respective challenges,
the nasal cavity was washed with a new technique: Washing with physiologic
saline was performed from one nostril to the other one, the latter of which
was kept under slightly reduced pressure. When the animal was subjected
to cedar pollen inhalation, almost all the pollens inhaled were located
in the upper airway. At the 5th inhalation, nasal cavity lavage revealed
that both albumin leakage and histamine release into the nasal cavity were
increased at maximum levels in 1 hr (respectively 2 mg and 3 ng/animal);
and at the same time, a considerable number of leukocytes, especially eosinophils,
were found migrating into the nasal cavity for at least 10 hr. The present
methods can permit various analyses of allergic rhinitis and the assessment
of drugs without sacrificing the animal over the long term.
Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, Airway, Nasal cavity lavage, Histamine,
Pollen