Local reaction of the nasal mucosa to an environmental factor, the allergen

The Purpose of the study was to assess the inflammatory response of the nasal mucosa based on nitric oxide concentration in exhaled breath and the level of inflammatory markers tryptase/eosinophil cation protein (ECP) in the nasal lavage fluid obtained via a nasal lavage collection device of our design. Material: The study group included 60 subjects: 30 patients diagnosed with an allergy to common environmental allergens (dust mites/grasses) and 30 healthy controls. The Method used in the study was NAPT, monitored via measuring nasal nitric oxide (nNO), and tryptase/ECP in nasal lavage fluid. Results: The early phase of the allergic reaction involved a drop in nNO with a simultaneous increase in nasal lavage tryptase levels (2.23 μg/L in the allergic rhinitis subgroup), which significantly differentiated between the allergic rhinitis and healthy groups. The late phase of reaction showed a significant increase in nNO and nasal lavage ECP levels (three-fold higher in the allergic rhinitis group than in healthy individuals). Conclusion: NAPT affects the nasal mucosa locally by initiating a series of symptoms characteristic for the early and late phases of the allergic reaction resulting from inflammatory marker secretion.