Nasal airway resistance (NAR) was assessed from the slope of pressure-flow curves obtained during normal nasal breathing. Volunteers were classified as atopic or nonatopic according to strict criteria. 100 ppm NH3 was introduced into each nostril for periods ranging from 5 to 30 seconds with frequent NAR monitoring. A progressive increase in NAR responses was obtained with incremental NH3 exposures, but no significant difference was noted between the mean response of atopic and nonatopic subjects. Control exposures to compressed air under the same pressure generally produced only a small change in NAR, while aerosolized buffered saline increased NAR more than compressed air. The nasal response to NH3 was effectively inhibited by intranasal atropine administration but not by chlorpheniramine. The described procedure provides a safe and simple method for studying semiquantitatively the short-term effects of inhaled irritants on the nose.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
McLeanJAMathewsKPCiarkowskiAA: The effects of topical saline and isoproterenol on nasal airway resistance. J Allergy Clin Immunol58: 563–574, 1976.
2.
McLeanJAMathewsKPSolomonWR: The effect of histamine and methacholine on nasal airway resistance in atopic and nonatopic subjects; comparison with bronchial challenge and skin test responses. J Allergy Clin Immunol59: 165–170, 1977.
3.
FerrisBGJrMeadJOpieLH: Partitioning of respiratory flow resistance in man. J Appl Physiol19: 653–658, 1964.
4.
McLeanJACiarkowskiAASolomonWR: An improved technique for nasal inhalation challenge test. J Allergy Clin Immunol57: 153–163, 1976.
5.
SolomonWRMcLeanJACookinghamC: Measurement of nasal airway resistance. J Allergy36: 62–69, 1965.
6.
CoonRAJonesRAJenkinsLJ: Animal inhalation studies on ammonia, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, dimethylamine, and ethanol. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol16: 646–655, 1970.
7.
DoigPAWilloughbyRA: Response of swine to atmospheric ammonia and organic dust. J Am Vet Med Assoc159: 1353–1361, 1971.
8.
StombaughDPTeagueHSRollerWL: Effects of atmospheric ammonia on the pig. J Anim Sci28: 844–847, 1969.
9.
LandahlHDHerrmannRG: Retention of vapors and gases in the human nose and lung. Arch Indust Hyg Occup Med1: 36–45, 1950.
10.
SilvermanLWhittenbergerJLMullerJ: Physiological response of man to ammonia in low concentrations. J Ind Hyg Toxicol31: 74–78, 1949.
11.
MacEwenJDTheodoreJVernotEH: Human exposure to EEL concentrations of monomethylhydrazine, AMRL-TR-70-102, paper No. 23, in: Proceedings 1st Annual Conference on Environmental Toxicology, Sept 9–11, 1970. Ohio, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, pp 355–363.
12.
Irritation Threshold Evaluation Study with Ammonia. Report to International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration by Industrial Biotest Laboratories, Inc. IBT 663-03161, March 23, 1973.
13.
PartieRE: The retention of gases and particles in the human nose, in DaulisON (ed): Proceedings of International Symposium on Inhaled Particles and Vapors.Elmsford, NY, Pergamon Press, 1961, pp 302–309.
14.
Criteria for a Recommended Standard … Occupational Exposure to Ammonia. U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare. Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1974. HEW Publication No. (HIOSH) 74–136.
15.
MalmL: Vasodilatation in the nasal mucosa of the cat and the effects of parasympatholytic and β-adrenergic blocking agents. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 76: 277–282, 1973.
16.
RookerDWJacksonRT: The effects of certain drugs, cervical sympathetic stimulation and section on nasal patency. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol78: 403–414, 1969.
17.
KalinerMWassermanSIAustenKF: Immunological release of chemical mediators from human polyps. N Engl J Med289: 277–281, 1973.
18.
GoldWMKesslerGFYuDYC: Role of vagus nerves in experimental asthma in allergic dogs. J Appl Physiol33: 719–725, 1972.
19.
HansenKZipfHF: Beziehungen zwischen Bronchotouus und Lungen-Vagusafferenten und ihre pharmakologische Beeinflussung. Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol240: 253–274, 1960.
20.
SimonssonBGJacobsFMNadelJA: Role of autonomic nervous system and cough reflex in the increased responsiveness of air ways in patients with obstructive airway disease. J Clin Invest46: 1812–1818, 1967.
21.
YuDYCGalantSPGoldWM: Inhibition of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction by atropine in asthmatic patients. J Appl Physiol32: 823–828, 1972.
22.
KrellRDChakrinLWWardellJR: The effect of cholinergic agents on a canine model of allergic asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol58: 19–30, 1976.
23.
PattersonRHarrisKE: The effect of cholinergic and anticholinergic agents on the primate model of allergic asthma. J Lab Clin Med87: 65–72, 1976.
24.
RosenthalRRSummerWRPermuttS: Effect of atropine on antigen-induced bronchospasm, abstract. J Allergy Clin Immunol53: 73, 1974.
25.
BanisterJFeglerGHebbC: Initial respiratory responses to the intratracheal inhalation of phosgene or ammonia. Q J Exp Physiol35: 233–250, 1949.
26.
AndersonILundqvistGRJensenPL: Human response to controlled levels of sulfur dioxide. Arch Environ Health28: 31–39, 1974.
27.
SpeizerFEFrankNR: A comparison of changes in pulmonary flow resistance in healthy volunteers acutely exposed to SO2 by mouth and by nose. Br J Indust Med23: 75–79, 1966.
28.
BridgerGPProctorDF: Maximum nasal inspiratory flow and nasal resistance. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol79: 481–488, 1970.
