The effect of inhalation and exhalation through the nose.
Naclerio, Robert M., David Proud, Anne Kagey-Sobotka, Lawrence M.
Lichtenstein, Maria Thompson, Alkis Togias.
Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology; Department
of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; and
Department of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
APStracts 2:0150A, 1995.
Ten subjects with a history of cold air-induced nasal symptoms
participated in a randomized, two-period crossover study to evaluate
the occurrence and the magnitude of the reaction induced by
inhalation and exhalation of cold, dry air through the nose. The
protocol involved breathing of either warm, moist or cold, dry air
for 45 minutes, at resting breathing rates. The nasal response was
quantified by determining the amount of produced secretions as well
as by measuring histamine and TAME esterase activity in recovered
nasal lavage fluids. Symptom scores were obtained. Warm, moist air
did not increase symptoms nor did it result in any significant
changes in secretions or mediator levels. Compared to baseline, cold,
dry air induced significant rhinorrhea and increased both secretion
weights (9.6+/-1.3 mg vs. 28.1+/-6.5 mg, p=0.01) and the levels of
histamine (3.9 +/- 1.2 ng/ml vs. 10.6 +/- 2.7 ng/ml, p=0.02) and TAME
esterase activity (3.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 7.0 +/- 2.0 cpm/1000, p=0.01). We
conclude that bidirectional nasal breathing of cold, dry air results
in a reaction which is qualitatively similar to that induced when air
is only inhaled through the nose and exhaled through the mouth.
Received 7 June 1994; accepted in final form 3 April 1995.
APS Manuscript Number A563-4.
Article publication pending Journal of Applied Physiology.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 19 April 1995.