In order to increase our understanding of the nasal response to cold, dry air (CDA), we studied changes in xenon clearance as an indicator of nasal blood flow. Eight individuals previously shown to respond to CDA had measurements of xenon clearance made in the left inferior turbinate before, during, and after a 15-minute exposure to either CDA (–7°C to 0°C, < 10% relative humidity) or room air. The half-life in seconds for xenon clearance on the day when CDA was inhaled was 56 ± 6, 41 ± 5, and 110 ± 31, before, during, and 10 minutes after challenge, respectively. On the control day, with subjects breathing room air, the equivalent measurements of half-life in seconds were 54 ± 8, 41 ± 6, and 42 ± 4, respectively. Xenon clearance was prolonged significantly (p<.01) after exposure to CDA during the clinical response. The interpretation of the change in xenon clearance as an indicator of nasal blood flow is discussed.
CaunaN., HindererK.H.Fine structure of blood vessels of the human nasal respiratory mucosa.Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1969; 78: 865–79.
2.
TakagiY., ProctorD.F., SalmanS., EveringS.Effects of cold air and carbon dioxide on nasal air flow resistance.Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1969; 78: 40–8.
3.
OlssonP., BendeM.Influence of environmental temperature on human nasal mucosa.Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1985; 94: 153–5.
4.
TogiasA.C., NaclerioR.M., ProudD.Nasal challenge with cold, dry air results in release of inflammatory mediators: possible mast cell involvement.J Clin Invest1985; 76: 1375–81.
5.
TogiasA.G., NaclerioR.M., PetersS.P.Local generation of sulfidopeptide leukotrienes upon nasal provocation with cold, dry air.Am Rev Respir Dis1986; 133: 1133–7.
6.
TogiasA.G., ProudD., Kagey-SobotkaA.The osmolality of nasal secretions increases when inflammatory mediators are released in response to inhalation of cold, dry air.Am Rev Respir Dis1988; 137: 625–9.
7.
EgglestonP.A., Kagey-SobotkaA., SchleimerR., LichtensteinL.M.Interaction between hyperosmolar and IgE-induced histamine release from basophils and mast cells.Am Rev Respir Dis1984; 130: 86–91.
8.
SilberG., ProudD., WarnerJ.In vivo release of inflammatory mediators by hyperosmolar solutions.Am Rev Respir Dis1988; 137: 606–12.
9.
BendeM., FlisbergK., LarssonI., OhlinP., OlssonP.A method for determination of blood flow with 133Xe in human nasal mucosa.Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1983; 96: 277–85.
10.
DruceH.M., BonnerR.F., PatowC., ChooP., SummerR.J., KalinerM.A.Response of nasal blood flow to neurohormones as measured by laser-Doppler velocimetry.J Appl Physiol Res Env Exercise Physiol1984; 57: 1276–83.
11.
KonnoA., TogawaK., NishihiraA.Participation of vascular reflex in mucosal swelling in nasal allergy.Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1982; 94: 131–40.
12.
IliopoulosO., ProudD., NormanP.S., LichtensteinL.M., Kagey-SobotkaA., NaclerioR.M.Nasal challenge with cold, dry air induces a late phase reaction.Am Rev Respir Dis1988; 138: 400–5.
13.
DawesJ.D.K., PritchardM.M.L.Studies of the vascular arrangements of the nose.J Anat1953; 87: 311–22.
14.
CaunaN.Electron microscopy of the nasal vascular bed and its nerve supply.Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1970; 79: 443–50.
15.
CaunaN., CaunaD.The fine structure and innervation of the cushion veins of the human nasal respiratory mucosa.Anat Rec1974; 181: 1–16.
16.
CaunaN.Fine structure of the arteriovenous anastomosis and nerve supply in the human respiratory mucosa.Anat Rec1970; 168: 9–22.
17.
BendeM.Blood flow in human nasal mucosa after total laryngectomy.Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1983; 96: 529–31.
18.
BendeM., AnderssonK-E, JohanssonC-J, SjögrenC., SvenssonG.Vascular effects of phenylpropanolamine on human nasal mucosa.Rhinology1985; 23: 43–8.
TanimatoH., OkudaM., YagiT., OhtsukaH.Measurement of blood flow of the mucosa by the hydrogen clearance method. Abstracts of The European Rhinologic Society 9th Congress, Stockholm, 1965: 71.
21.
IngelstedtS., RundcrantzH.Allergic rhinitis and intravascular aggregation of blood cells.Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1964; 57: 119–28.
22.
BisgaardH., OlssonP., BendeM.Effect of leukotriene D4 on nasal mucosal blood flow, nasal airway resistance and nasal secretion in humans.Clin Allergy1986; 16: 289–97.
23.
OlssonP., BendeM., OhlinP.The laser Doppler flowmeter for measuring microcirculation in human nasal mucosa.Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1985; 99: 133–9.
24.
ÄnggardA.Capillary and shunt blood flow in the nasal mucosa of the cat.Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1974; 78: 418–22.
25.
BultH., HermanA.G.Vascular responses and their suppression: the role of endothelium. In: BontaI.L., BrayM.A., ParnhamM.J., eds. The pharmacology of inflammation.Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers, 1985: 83–105. (Handbook of inflammation; vol 5.)
