Abstract
SummaryNeuropeptides are important neurotransmitters in nasal physiology and the increasing knowledge of their role in nasal diseases brings new therapeutic perspectives. The investigation of human nasal mucosa neuropeptides is based mostly on immunocytochemistry, a complex approach whose resulting factors may be variable. Aiming to make this kind of research available, an immunofluorescence approach for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in human nasal mucosa is proposed and evaluated.Study designTransversal cohort.Material and MethodHuman inferior turbinate samples were obtained at time of nasal surgery from eight patients. The samples were fixed in Zamboni solution (4% phosphate-buffered paraformaldehyde and 0.4% picric acid), snap-frozen and stored at -70ºC. 14 µm sections were then obtained. Immunofluorescence staining for VIP (Peninsula Laboratories) was performed and its images documented by conventional photography. The method's specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of execution were evaluated. Additionally, the reproducibility of interpretation of results was evaluated through the comparison of staining scores (0 to 4) attributed to the images by six observers.ResultsThe results showed the approach to be very specific and sensible, besides being reproducible in its execution. The interpretation of results may depend on the observer's accuracy in judging immunofluorescence images, but it showed uniformity.ConclusionThe proposed method was highly useful for research purposes in neuropeptides in human nasal mucosa.
Highlights
The role of nose in protecting the airways, through its classical functions of filtration, heating and humidification of inhaled air, is effective thanks to the peculiar anatomy of the nasal cavity and functional aspects of the lining mucosa
The balance of classical neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and noradrenalin, present in sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation - and sometimes in their imbalance - have been predominant in the explanation of nasal physiological and pathological phenomena, and they have guided the therapeutic principles of nasal pathological conditions
Once checked the importance of neuropeptides in human nasal mucosa and complexity and variability of immunofluorescence techniques in study, the purpose of the present study was to study an immunofluorescence technique to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to analyze its application for research purposes
Summary
The role of nose in protecting the airways, through its classical functions of filtration, heating and humidification of inhaled air, is effective thanks to the peculiar anatomy of the nasal cavity and functional aspects of the lining mucosa. The capability to widely vary its volume, modifying the air resistance by congesting venous plexus, in addition to large variations of gland secretion according to exogenous and endogenous factors, are intriguing phenomena of the nasal physiology that are continuously studied 1. The balance of classical neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and noradrenalin, present in sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation - and sometimes in their imbalance - have been predominant in the explanation of nasal physiological and pathological phenomena, and they have guided the therapeutic principles of nasal pathological conditions. Together with sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation, sensitive innervation has a significant physiological role in the protection reflex of airways, regulating the blood flow and the nasal air resistance, glandular secretion, and mediating inflammatory and allergic responses 2,3. There are dozens of neuropeptides already being studied, and the respiratory system is widely investigated 4
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