Abstract
BackgroundClara cell protein (CC16) is ascribed a protective and anti-inflammatory role in airway inflammation. Lower levels have been observed in asthmatic subjects as well as in subjects with intermittent allergic rhinitis than in healthy controls. Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) is present in high concentrations in the upper airways, and considered a biomarker with beneficial effects, due to inhibition of bacteria and viruses along with stimulation of ciliary motility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presumed anti-inflammatory effects of nasal CC16 and nNO in subjects with allergic rhinitis.MethodsThe levels of CC16 in nasal lavage fluids, achieved from subjects with persistent allergic rhinitis (n = 13), intermittent allergic rhinitis in an allergen free interval (n = 5) and healthy controls (n = 7), were analyzed by Western blot. The levels of nNO were measured by the subtraction method using NIOX®. The occurrences of effector cells in allergic inflammation, i.e. metachromatic cells (MC, mast cells and basophiles) and eosinophils (Eos) were analyzed by light microscopy in samples achieved by nasal brushing.ResultsThe levels of CC16 correlated with nNO levels (r2 = 0.37; p = 0.02) in allergic subjects.The levels of both biomarkers showed inverse relationships with MC occurrence, as higher levels of CC16 (p = 0.03) and nNO (p = 0.05) were found in allergic subjects with no demonstrable MC compared to the levels in subjects with demonstrable MC. Similar relationships, but not reaching significance, were observed between the CC16 and nNO levels and Eos occurrence. The levels of CC16 and nNO did not differ between the allergic and the control groups.ConclusionsThe correlation between nasal CC16 and nNO levels in patients with allergic rhinitis, along with an inverse relationship between their levels and the occurrences of MC in allergic inflammation, may indicate that both biomarkers have anti-inflammatory effects by suppression of cell recruitment. The mechanisms behind these observations warrant further analyses.
Highlights
Clara cell protein (CC16) is ascribed a protective and anti-inflammatory role in airway inflammation
In intermittent allergic rhinitis due to pollen allergy the levels were lower in patients compared to controls during the pollen season [7,8], and an inverse relation between nasal CC16 levels and symptoms and signs of rhinitis were observed after allergen-challenge [9]
Levels of CC16, Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) and exhaled NO (eNO) and occurrences of MC and Eos in relation to allergic rhinitis The levels of CC16 were slightly, but not significantly, higher in the allergy sub-groups compared to the control group (Table 1, Figure 1)
Summary
Clara cell protein (CC16) is ascribed a protective and anti-inflammatory role in airway inflammation. Lower levels have been observed in asthmatic subjects as well as in subjects with intermittent allergic rhinitis than in healthy controls. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presumed anti-inflammatory effects of nasal CC16 and nNO in subjects with allergic rhinitis. CC16 has been demonstrated in nasal lavage fluid [NLF] [4], only a few studies on nasal levels have been reported. In intermittent allergic rhinitis due to pollen allergy the levels were lower in patients compared to controls during the pollen season [7,8], and an inverse relation between nasal CC16 levels and symptoms and signs of rhinitis were observed after allergen-challenge [9]. No study analyzing the nasal CC16 levels in persistent allergic rhinitis has up to now been found
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