Hurley D B, Smith G S, Vogler G A, Desponde Y, Citardi M J
Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, the Theodore Cooper Surgical Research Institute, Missouri, USA.
Am J Rhinol. 2001 Jan-Feb;15(1):47-8. doi: 10.2500/105065801781329383.
Since the late 1980s, the rabbit model for sinusitis has been widely used for experimental studies on sinusitis; however, the clinical relevance of these experimental data has been questioned. To elucidate the role of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of sinusitis, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels were determined in acute Streptococcus pneumoniae sinusitis in this model. The rabbit model for acute maxillary sinusitis was utilized. Briefly, the right maxillary ostium of each New Zealand white rabbit was occluded with cyanoacrylate under general anesthesia. Twenty-four hours after occlusion, the occluded sinus received an inoculation of 10(8) Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC 10813) or a sham inoculation of saline alone. Rabbits were then sacrificed one week later, and the maxillary sinus mucosae were harvested. Leukotriene B4 levels were determined by ELISA assay. LTB4 levels in the sinuses inoculated with bacteria tended to be higher; however, statistical analysis did not reveal significant differences between the experimental and control groups. It is possible to reliably assess leukotriene B4 levels in this model of sinusitis. Although the data suggest a trend for elevated LTB4 levels, statistical analysis did not support this conclusion. The study also demonstrated significant limitations in the current rabbit model for sinusitis; that is, the standard human sinus bacterial pathogens are minimally pathogenic in rabbit sinuses and the small size of the sinus limits the material available for assay. Further modifications of the model are necessary. After such adjustments, the role of leukotrienes in sinusitis may be further explored.
自20世纪80年代末以来，鼻窦炎的兔模型已被广泛用于鼻窦炎的实验研究；然而，这些实验数据的临床相关性受到了质疑。为了阐明白三烯在鼻窦炎发病机制中的作用，在该模型中测定了急性肺炎链球菌鼻窦炎中白三烯B4（LTB4）的水平。采用了急性上颌窦炎的兔模型。简要地说，在全身麻醉下，用氰基丙烯酸酯封闭每只新西兰白兔的右上颌窦口。封闭24小时后，对封闭的鼻窦接种10⁸肺炎链球菌（ATCC 10813）或仅假接种生理盐水。一周后处死兔子，采集上颌窦黏膜。通过ELISA测定法测定白三烯B4水平。接种细菌的鼻窦中的LTB4水平有升高趋势；然而，统计分析未显示实验组和对照组之间存在显著差异。在该鼻窦炎模型中可以可靠地评估白三烯B4水平。尽管数据表明LTB4水平有升高趋势，但统计分析不支持这一结论。该研究还表明了当前兔鼻窦炎模型存在显著局限性；也就是说，标准的人类鼻窦细菌病原体在兔鼻窦中的致病性极低，且鼻窦体积小限制了可用于检测的材料。有必要对该模型进行进一步改进。经过这样的调整后，可进一步探索白三烯在鼻窦炎中的作用。
