Neuronal plasticity in persistent perennial allergic rhinitis.

Objective: Persistent perennial allergic rhinitis belongs to the most frequent diseases in occupational and environmental medicine. Because the innervation may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, the present study analyzed nasal mucosal nerve profiles.

Methods: Neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers were examined using immunohistochemistry and related to eosinophil and mast cell numbers.

Toxic rhinitis-induced changes of human nasal mucosa innervation.

Irritative toxic rhinitis is a nasal disorder induced by chemical compounds like ozone, formaldehyde, nickel, chrome, solvents and tobacco smoke. These noxious stimuli may have effects on the nasal innervation leading to a cascade of neuro-immune interactions and an augmentation of the symptoms. Here we examined changes in the neuropeptide content of mucosal parasympathetic, sympathetic and sensory nerves of patients with toxic rhinitis caused by chronic cigarette smoke exposure.

Innervation of human nasal mucosa in environmentally triggered hyperreflectoric rhinitis.

Hyperreflectoric rhinitis is related to an unspecific hyperreactivity probably caused by chemical irritants. As a major modulatory role may be attributed to the mucosal innervation, the present study was carried out to examine possible changes in the nasal mucosa innervation. Immunohistochemistry for the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP) and neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) revealed abundant staining of nerve fibers.