The Impact Of Allergic Rhinitis On The Rat Lower Respiratory Tract Cytokines And Mucin

Objective Nasal allergy may initiate asthma, but the mechanism concerning it is unknown. The study is to investigate the relationship and mechanism between allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma . Methods Forty healthy rats were randomly divided into AR group and control group. AR model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovabumin(OVA) and nasal challenge with OVA. Hematotoxylin-eosin staining(HE staining) showed moderate to severe infiltration of inflammatory cells in nasal mucosa and lung tissue, with the lung tissue being studied as well as by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). ELISA and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the level of IL-4 in bronchi alveolus lavage fluid(BALF) and the expression of ICAM-1 in lung tissue, respectively. Results Infiltration of inflammatory cells in nasal mucosa and lung tissue of AR model in rat was evident. Cilia destruction of bronchial epithelial cells of AR model was found. The expression of ICAM-1 in lung tissue and the level of IL-4 in BALF were both significantly higher than that in control group. Conclusion Nasal allergy might initiate and worsen the inflammation in lower respiratory tract, possibly through the up-regulation of IL-4 and ICAM-1. In clinical settings therefore, much attention should be paid to the nasal allergy as well as asthma.