Frequency Of Sneezing Research Articles

Animal studies supporting the inhibition of mast cell activation by <I>Eriobotrya japonica</I> seed extract

The potent antioxidant activity of Eriobotrya japonica seed extract (ESE) and its usefulness in the prevention and treatment of various disorders has been reported previously. Its antioxidant activity associated with beta-sitosterol and polyphenols contained in the extract was also validated. In this study, anti-allergic activity of Eriobotrya japonica seed extract was investigated. The inhibition of histamine release-mediated type 1 allergy by Eriobotrya japonica seed extract was used as an index. The administration of this extract inhibited histamine release from rat mast cells, suggesting its usefulness in allergic disease treatment. In an experiment using a guinea-pig allergic rhinitis model, this extract reduced the frequency of sneezing and nose-scratching. These results suggest that Eriobotrya japonica seed extract may contribute to the relief of allergic disease-related symptoms.

Validation Study of the OHIO Chamber in Patients with Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

Background: An artificial exposure chamber (OHIO Chamber), which allows dispersal of a fixed concentration of Japanese cedar (JC) pollen under stable conditions, was constructed. This study was conducted to identify the exposure conditions assuring validity of the clinical tests conducted using this chamber. Methods: Twenty-four adult patients with JC pollinosis were exposed to different concentrations of JC pollen: 0 (only during the summer period), 4,000, 8,000 and 12,000 grains/m³, and the nasal and ocular symptoms were self-assessed during a 4-hour period of exposure. The amount of nasal discharge was measured and the sneezing frequency was recorded. This study was conducted twice during the summer and winter periods, i.e. non-pollen seasons. The reproducibility of the symptoms between the two seasons was assessed. Results: None of the subjects developed any symptom at the pollen concentration of 0 grains/m³. No significant differences in the time to the onset of symptoms were found between the summer and winter study, regardless of the pollen concentration. There were no significant differences between the summer and winter study in the total symptom score and total nasal symptom score at any pollen concentration, suggesting the very favorable reproducibility of symptoms. Conclusions: Efficient and reproducible results are obtained in patients exposed to JC pollen in the OHIO Chamber. The results suggest the conditions of JC pollen exposure have scientific validity and the OHIO Chamber has the potential to contribute significantly to basic and clinical studies of JC pollinosis.

Absence of Nasal Blockage in a Japanese Cedar Pollen-Induced Allergic Rhinitis Model Mouse

Japanese cedar pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in a guinea pig model clearly induced not only sneezing but also biphasic nasal blockage. To date, there have only been a few reports on models of murine allergic rhinitis which clearly show nasal blockage. Therefore, in order to try and develop such a model, we administered multiple dosages of intranasal pollen or purified antigen protein Cry j 1. B10.S mice were sensitized by intranasal instillations of either pollen extract or Cry j 1 twice a day for 7 days, which was adsorbed on Al(OH)(3). Subsequently, once a week, the mice were given multiple intranasal instillation challenges of either the pollen suspension or Cry j 1 and the frequency of sneezing was observed after respective challenges were made. Specific airway resistance (sRaw) was measured as an indicator for nasal blockage. Cry j 1-specific IgE levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum Cry j 1-specific IgE level showed clear elevation only in the group sensitized by Cry j 1 + Al(OH)(3) and then challenged by Cry j 1. No elevations were seen in the groups sensitized by pollen extract + Al(OH)(3) followed by a pollen suspension challenge. There was an immediate increase in sneezing after challenges in all of the sensitized-challenged groups. Nevertheless, no increases in sRaw in any of the groups were detected at any of the time points during the 8 hours following the challenges. Cry j 1 may be more effective than crude antigens for efficient sensitization/challenge in mice. No increase in sRaw occurred, even in mice that possessed high amounts of Cry j 1-specific IgE and that exhibited sneezing.

Possible contribution of endogenous carbon monoxide to the development of allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs

BackgroundThe mechanisms responsible for the development of allergic rhinitis(AR) are not fully understood. The present study was designed to explore the possible roles of carbon monoxide(CO) on the pathogenesis of AR.MethodsAR guinea pig model was established by nasal ovalbumin sensitization. Twenty-four AR guinea pigs were divided into four groups, 6 in each: Saline control group, AR sensitized group, Hemin treated group, and Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) treated group. The frequency of sneezing and nose rubbing was recorded. Leukocyte infiltration in nasal lavage fluid, serum IgE level and plasma CO were measured. Expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA in nasal mucosa was determined by real time RT-PCR, and expression of HO-1 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe frequency of sneezing and nose rubbing, leukocyte infiltration, serum IgE, plasma CO, and HO-1 mRNA levels in sensitized guinea pigs were higher than those of control (P < 0.05). Except for serum IgE level, all above parameters were even higher (P < 0.05) when treated with Hemin, a heme oxygenase-1 inducer; but significantly decreased (P < 0.05) when treated with ZnPP, a heme oxygenase inhibitor. Immunohistochemical results showed that positive staining of HO-1 was present in the lamina of mucosa of sensitized guinea pigs, and there was an increase of HO-1 immunoreactivity with Hemin administration (P < 0.05) and a decrease with ZnPP treatment.ConclusionThe endogenous CO may take part in the inflammation process of AR and is positively correlated with expression of HO-1 in nasal mucosa. Endogenous CO plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of AR.

Evaluation of a novel immunotherapy for treatment of chronic rhinitis in cats.

The pathogenesis of chronic rhinitis in cats is poorly understood and consistently effective therapies are not currently available. Therefore, randomized clinical trials were conducted to evaluate a novel immunotherapy for treatment of chronic rhinitis in adult (n=12) and young cats (n=28). In addition, cytokine profiles in cats with chronic rhinitis were compared to those of healthy cats. Cats were treated with a potent stimulator of innate immunity (liposome-IL-2 DNA complexes) and the effects of treatment on clinical signs and immune function were assessed. In adult cats with chronic rhinitis, immunotherapy led to significant improvement in frequency of sneezing but not in other clinical signs when compared to the placebo group, whereas immunotherapy failed to improve clinical signs in younger cats. Analysis of cytokine expression in cats with rhinitis did not reveal evidence of a Th2 cytokine bias in cats with rhinitis. We conclude that chronic rhinitis in cats is not a Th2-biased disease and that immunotherapy may lead to clinical improvement in adult cats with the disease.

Blocking of protease allergens with inhibitors reduces allergic responses in allergic rhinitis and other allergic diseases

Conclusions. Allergic responses specific to the corresponding proteases were reduced by protease inhibitors, suggesting promise as potent treatments for allergic rhinitis and other allergic conditions. Objective. Allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, are caused by the overproduction of IgE antibodies to various allergens. Many reported allergens are proteases that are cysteine, serine, aspartic (acid) proteases and metalloproteases. Conjugation of E64 inhibitor with cysteine protease allergens inhibits the IgE response to the same allergens. However, whether inhibitors of the other protease families reduce IgE levels and whether protease inhibitors reduce allergic symptoms remain controversial. Therefore, we compared the abilities of active and inhibitor-blocked inactive forms of proteases to generate IgE and allergic symptoms in this study to evaluate associations between the allergic response and protease inhibitors. Materials and methods. We measured levels of IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b enzyme-specific antibodies, and counted frequency of sneezing and nasal rubbing behavior in mice immunized with active or inactive forms of bromelain, chymotrypsin, chymosin and collagenase (a cysteine protease, a serine protease, an aspartic protease and a metalloprotease, respectively). Results. All the inhibitors reduced IgE and IgG1 production in response to corresponding enzymes, and a cysteine protease inhibitor, E64, decreased nasal symptoms, such as sneezing and nasal rubbing.

Protection of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1-Deficient Mice from Nasal Allergy

This study was performed to clarify the relationship between fibrinolytic components and the pathology of allergy, particularly that during the development of nasal allergy and nasal tissue changes. Intranasal OVA challenge after sensitization by i.p. administration of OVA induced a higher level of excess subepithelial collagen deposition in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice than in plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1-deficient (PAI-1(-/-)) mice. The excess PAI-1 induction in the nasal mucosa and higher level of active PAI-1 in the nasal lavage fluid of WT-OVA mice compared with those in WT-control mice suggested that the decrease of proteolytic activity inhibits the removal of subepithelial collagen. The frequency of sneezing, nasal rubbing, nasal hyperresponsiveness, production of specific IgG1 and IgE in the serum, and production of IL-4 and IL-5 in splenocyte culture supernatant increased significantly in WT-OVA mice. In PAI-1(-/-) mice, these reactions were absent, and specific IgG2a in serum and IFN-gamma in splenocyte culture medium increased significantly. Histopathologically, there were marked goblet cell hyperplasia and eosinophil infiltration into the nasal mucosa in WT-OVA mice, but these were absent in PAI-1(-/-) mice. These results indicate that the immune response in WT-OVA mice can be classified as a dominant Th2 response, which would promote collagen deposition. In contrast, the Th2 response in PAI-1(-/-) mice was down-regulated, and the immune response shifted from Th2-dominant reaction to a Th1-dominant one. Taken together, these findings suggest that PAI-1 plays an important role not only in thrombolysis but also in immune response.

Aspirin‐Induced Sneezing

Aim: To present a case of aspirin‐induced sneezing.Clinical features: A 19‐year‐old male developed sneezing during the intermittent use of aspirin 325 mg for the treatment of headache, over a 2‐year period. When rechallenged, he developed sneezing 2 hours after taking the aspirin dose and the reaction persisted for 2 to 3 days. The frequency of sneezing was greatest during the first day. The patient was not treated and recovered spontaneously 2 to 3 days after ingesting the dose.Discussion: The causality assessment of the reaction as assessed by the World Health Organization assessment scale was ‘certain’. The limitation of this assessment may be the fact that rechallenge with individual excipients of the product was not undertaken. Although sneezing has been reported with other drugs, no reference to aspirin‐induced sneezing could be found.

Study on Mechanism of Local Heated Aerosol Therapy in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

To detect probable mechanisms of local heated aerosol inhalation in nasal allergy, we measured nasal resistance before and after house dust antigen challenge to the nasal mucosa in 13 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis treated with local hyperthermia for 2 weeks and in 15 untreated patients. Mean nasal resistance either on expiration or inspiration 15min. and 8 hours after antigen challenge in treated patients was significantly lower than in untreated patients. We measured nasal resistance before and after histamine challenge to the nasal mucosa in 9 perennial allergic rhinitis patients before and after hyperthermial treatment and 6 voluntary healthy subjects. Mean nasal resistance right after histamine challenge either on expiration or inspiration in patients before treatment was significantly higher than in patients after treatment or healthy subjects. The frequency of sneezing due to histamine challenge to the nasal mucosa in patients after treatment was significantly lower than in patients before treatment, and no significant difference in frequency of sneezing was seen between patients after local hyperthermia and healthy subjects. Local heated aerosol therapy for more than 1 week, twice a day, may suppress both early- and late- phase allergic reaction and nonspecific hypersensitivity by histamine in the allergic nasal mucosa.

Nasopharyngeal Symptoms in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Background: Nasal side effects are often reported during nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and may make the use of nasal CPAP difficult. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nasal CPAP on nasopharyngeal symptoms in OSAS patients. Methods: The frequency and severity of nasopharyngeal symptoms and signs were prospectively evaluated in 49 consecutive OSAS patients (37 men, 12 women, mean (SD) age 54 (7) years, body mass index 35 (6) kg/m²) immediately before and after 6 months’ treatment with nasal CPAP. Results: Nasopharyngeal symptoms were common already before starting nasal CPAP: 74% of patients reported dryness, 53% sneezing, 51% mucus in the throat, 45% blocked nose, and 37% rhinorrhea. During nasal CPAP treatment, severity and frequency of sneezing (75%) and rhinorrhea (57%) increased. This increase was related to the season when nasal CPAP was applied, and was more profound in winter than in summer. Mild abnormalities on rhinoscopy and paranasal sinus X-rays were common both at baseline and at follow-up with no significant change during treatment. Conclusions: Nasopharyngeal problems were found to be frequent in patients with OSAS before nasal CPAP treatment, and tended to increase during the treatment.

鼻過敏症とムスカリニック受容体-臨床症状との相関性-

It is generally accepted that abnormal autonomic responsiveness may contribute to the pathogenesis of hyperesthetic rhinitis. Histologically, cholinergic fibers in the nasal mucosa are located close to blood vessels, but are particularly numerous around the glands. Adrenergic fibers are found mainly around the vasculatures. Physiological and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that parasympathetic hypersensitivity causes hypersecretion, and that sympathetic hypersensitivity causes vasodilatation.Using radioligand binding techniques, it has been found that there is an increased number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors and a decreased number of α1- and β-adrenergic receptors in patients with nasal allergy, while the binding affinities remain unchanged.In this report, using radioligand binding techniques, I investigated the relationship between the number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors, and the degree of the hyperreactive nasal symptoms in patients with hyperesthetic rhinitis, was investigated. The results were as follows.1. The number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the human nasal mucosa in patients with hyperesthetic rhinitis was significantly related (p<0.05) to the degree of hypersecretion induced by methacholine and to the frequency of nose blowing, based on observations in an allergy diary.2. There was no relationship between the frequency of sneezing and the number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors.

Role of Capsaicin-Sensitive Trigeminal Nerves in Development of Hyperreactive Nasal Symptoms in Guinea Pig Model of Nasal Allergy

The effect of capsaicin pretreatment on frequency of sneezing, decrease of nasal patency, and increase of vascular dye leakage induced by antigen or histamine challenge on the guinea pig nasal mucosa was investigated. The animals were sensitized intraperitoneally with ovalbumin. Capsaicin pretreatment significantly inhibited sneezing induced by nasal challenge with histamine and antigen, indicating that capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves constitute an afferent pathway of the sneezing reflex in nasal allergy. Although capsaicin pretreatment tended to inhibit the decrease of nasal patency and the increase of vascular dye leakage of the nasal mucosa induced by antigen challenge, this tendency was not statistically significant. The present study indicated that the participation of a local reflex via capsaicin-sensitive trigeminal nerves in nasal vascular responses observed after antigen challenge in the guinea pig model of nasal allergy is rather small compared to the large direct vascular effects of chemical mediators released from basophilic cells in the nasal mucosa.

Activities of vagal receptors in the different phases of sneeze in cats

We studied the activity of 50 slow-adapting receptors (SAR), 13 rapidly-adapting receptors (RAR) and 3 expiratory modulated receptors in the different phases of sneeze in tracheostomized and non-tracheostomized anaesthetized cats. SAR activity increased progressively during the first phase of the preparatory inspiration in parallel to integrated diaphragmatic activity. During the second phase of the preparatory inspiration, SAR increased their discharge frequency; higher threshold SAR and RAR were recruited. During the compressive phase, discharge of SAR kept stable or increased slightly in parallel to an increase in transpulmonary pressure, while expiratory modulated receptors were activated. During the expulsive phase, only RAR were activated. Increase in transpulmonary pressure at the end of the inspiratory phase of sneeze shortened expiratory duration and increased the rate of rise of expiratory muscle activity. Increase in transpulmonary pressure at the end of the compressive phase further shortened expiratory duration. These results suggest: first, a facilitatory effect on the triggering of the second phase of the preparatory inspiration from SAR; second, a modulation of the early stage of expiration by SAR, RAR and expiratory modulated receptors during the compressive phase; third, a permissive effect on a rapid expulsive thrust by SAR which can be further limited by RAR; fourth, a facilitatory effect on the triggering of inspiratory activity that follows the expiratory thrust by RAR. Both SAR and RAR might participate in the occurrence of successive sneeze in an attack and in the increased frequency of sneezing. Our results suggest that complex convergent inputs from nasal and vagal receptors, which alter the respiratory rhythm and rhythmogenesis, modulate finely the sneeze reflex.

Natural killer cell activity is reduced in association with oral contraceptive use

Oral contraceptive (OC) use has been associated with increased incidence of a number of infections, but the mechanisms behind these changes is unclear. The present study compared OC users and nonusers in natural killer (NK) cell activity, NK phenotype, and illness frequency. Subjects were 55 female medical students (19 OC users, 36 nonusers). Three blood samples were obtained, 1 mo apart. Natural cytotoxicity was tested with a 51Cr assay. Self reports of illness symptoms during the previous week were collected at each blood sampling. NK phenotype number was assessed by flow cytometry. Oral contraceptive users had lower natural cytotoxicity and increased frequency of sneezing, gastrointestinal distress, runny nose, sore throat, coughing, and total illness symptoms, relative to nonusers. No differences were found between OC users and nonusers in NK phenotype number. These findings support the hypothesis that differences between users and nonusers in infection rates might be due to alterations in NK activity.

Improvement of symptoms of non‐allergic chronic rhinitis by local treatment with capsaicin

Sixteen adult patients suffering from severe chronic non-allergic rhinitis with nasal vasoconstrictor abuse for more than a year, received, under local anaesthesia, an intranasal spray of capsaicin (3.3 x 10(-3) mol), the pungent agent in hot pepper, once weekly for 5 weeks. The subjective intensity of their nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea and sneezing frequency were evaluated throughout the study and the vascular effects of capsaicin on the nasal mucosa were recorded by anterior rhinomanometry and laser Doppler flowmetry. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a vasodilator agent present in sensory nerves and may play a major role in the vascular component of neurogenic inflammation. Therefore, the nasal mucosa content of CGRP-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) was determined by radioimmunoassay in biopsies obtained before and after the capsaicin treatment. Intra-nasal capsaicin application evoked a larger vascular response in patients with rhinitis than in controls (P less than 0.05). Both nasal vascular responses and subjective discomfort following capsaicin were markedly reduced after the fifth application (P less than 0.01). In parallel, a 50% reduction of the CGRP-LI content in the nasal biopsies was observed. All symptoms were significantly improved throughout a 6 month follow-up period. No significant side-effects occurred and weaning from nasal vasoconstrictor agents was possible. Both the subjective symptom score and objective measurements of vascular reactivity suggest that repeated intra-nasal capsaicin application could be beneficial for patients with chronic rhinitis, possibly by reducing hyperreactive nasal reflexes.

鼻過敏症症例鼻粘膜における自律神経受容体数と鼻過敏症状との相関性について

It is generally accepted that abnormal autonomic responsiveness may contribute to the pathogenesis of hyperesthetic rhinitis. Histologically, in the nasal mucosa, cholinergic fibers are found close to blood vessels, but are particularly numerous around the glands. Adrenergic fibers are found mainly around the vascular structures. Physiological and pharmacological studies demonstrate that parasympathetic hypersensitivity causes hypersecretion, and sympathetic hyposensitivity causes vasodilatation. alpha 1-adrenergic receptor function is dominant for this vasodilatation. Using radioligand binding techniques, it has been found that there is an increased number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors and a decreased number of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors in patients with nasal allergy, while the binding affinities do not change. In this report, using radioligand binding techniques, we investigated the relationships between the number of receptors and the degree of the hyperreactive nasal symptoms in patients with hyperesthetic rhinitis. The results are as follows. 1. The number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors of human nasal mucosa in patients with hyperesthetic rhinitis was related significantly (P less than 0.01) to the degree of hypersecretion induced by methacholine and frequency of blowing nose estimated from allergy diary. 2. There was no relationship between frequency of sneezing and the number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors. 3. The number of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors was related significantly (P less than 0.05) to the degree of swelling of nasal mucosa induced by methoxyamine. Judging from these results, it was assumed that pathogenesis of hyperreactive nasal symptoms may be associated at least partially to the changes of number of autonomic nerve receptors in the nasal mucosa.

Nasal response to allergen and hyperosmolar challenge.

Rhinitis causes both clinical and social discomfort to patients, and in clinical practice is often underdiagnosed. We have examined a simple method for the assessment of a positive nasal provocation test to help in the diagnosis of rhinitis. In patients with histories suggestive of house dust mite (HDM) sensitivity and positive skin-prick tests or specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, there was a fall in nasal inspiratory peak flow (NIPF) following nasal challenge with allergen. This was not seen in control subjects or in pollen-sensitive patients when challenged with house dust mite. Frequency of sneezing and degree of rhinorrhoea increased in these patients following challenge, and based on these findings we propose a simplified scoring system for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. We examined non-specific nasal reactivity using hyperosmolar solutions as a challenge system and found that allergic subjects responded with a fall in NIPF, although the clinical response was not identical to that seen with allergen. Control subjects did not respond to hyperosmolar challenge.

Seasonal variation of sensitivity of nasal mucosa in pollinosis.

The purpose of the present paper is to examine whether hypersensitivity of nasal mucosa observed in nasal allergy is cause or result of allergic reaction using the subjects with pollinosis in which the exposure period can be clearly distinguished. Subjects are 30 cases of Japanese cedar pollinosis and orchard grass pollinosis and 25 normal controls. Inferior turbinate of unilateral nasal cavity was stimulated by a piece of filter paper soaked with 0.02 ml of 0.1% and 0.5% histamine hydrochloride. Frequency of sneezing and amount of nasal secretion were measured quantatively and were compared among the subjects with pollinosis in season, off season, and normal controls. In subjects with pollinosis when stimulated with extrinsic histamine, frequency of sneezing and amount of nasal secretion were markedly enhanced in season, but during off season no apparent difference was observed compared with normal subjects. Relationship between frequency of sneezing and amount of nasal secretion indicated positive correlation (alpha less than 0.01). Positive correlation was also observed in amount of nasal secretion in ipsilateral and contralateral nasal cavity when unilateral nasal cavity was stimulated with histamine (alpha less than 0.01). Hyperrhinorrhea was closely related with hypersensitivity of nasal mucosa. The present study showed that hypersensitivity of nasal mucosa characteristic of nasal allergy is nonspecific and that it is largely a result of antigen antibody reaction, which in turn works in causing exaggeration of the allergic symptoms and allergic reaction through vicious cycle.

「くさめ」と気象的影響

We studied the influence of atmosphere on the frequency of sneezing in 450 patients for 15 months (from Feb. 1978 to May 1979).The frequency of sneezing had the closest relation with change of temperature in early spring and early autumn, particularly with day-difference of highest and lowest temperature.Other conditions such as air pressure, humidity, wind velocity, weather, daylight-hours, etc. had little to do with it.The allergen test suggested that the number of patients with pollinosis caused by Ambrosia elator would be largest in August and September, but it turned out that the actual number was doubled in February, March and April.

Urine as a communicator in a New World primate,Saimiri sciureus

New World primates face problems of communication distinct from those of their Old World counterparts. We suspected that the odor of urine might serve the function of communicating information among animals or troops. Two studies were conducted withSaimiri sciureus; one examined, in a laboratory enclosure, the influence of breeding season, social condition, area, and whether the urine was from known animals or from strangers, and the second measured, in a seminatural rain forest, responses to our spreadingSaimiri urine on selected sites. Enclosure and field produce the same general patterns of frequencies of behavior for urination, the urine wash and kick wash, and rubbing. The chief difference in behavior between the environments is found in the frequency of sneezing. Season (breeding or nonbreeding) is the most effective variable producing this general pattern: During the breeding season, males urine-wash throughout the enclosure or troop range, whereas during the nonbreeding season, this behavior is restricted in location, at least in the enclosure. At this time, females increase their frequencies of sniffing and rubbing. Many of these behaviors are observed only in special locations of the enclosure. The results show thatSaimiri respond differently to the urine of known and foreign animals, depending upon the season and whether they are with members of their own sex or both sexes. It is suggested that primates not equipped with specialized organs for scent marking may use urine opportunistically to communicate.