Involvement of K(+) channels in the augmented nasal venous responsiveness to nitric oxide in rat model of allergic rhinitis.

Objective: one of the factors of nasal obstruction observed in allergic rhinitis is thought to be a dilatation of microveins in nasal mucosa, although the exact mechanism(s) is not fully understood. In nasal mucosae of repeatedly antigen challenged rats, NO-induced venodilatation itself is augmented. In the present study, the roles of K(+) channels in sodium nitroprusside (NO donor; SNP)-induced venodilatation of nasal mucosae in antigen-challenged rats were investigated.