Arts Josje H E, Frieke Kuper C
TNO Nutrition and Food Research, P.O. Box 360, 3700 AJ, Zeist, The Netherlands.
Toxicol Lett. 2003 Apr 11;140-141:213-22. doi: 10.1016/s0378-4274(02)00513-1.
Although a number of test protocols have been developed to predict respiratory allergenic potential, none of these are widely applied or fully accepted. However, given the serious health problems caused by respiratory allergy and the ever-increasing stream of new chemicals into workplaces, early identification of chemical respiratory allergens is important. Inhalation exposure as well as skin application have been used in predictive tests to induce respiratory tract sensitisation. While there are good indications in laboratory animals and humans that skin exposure can act as a route for respiratory tract sensitisation and vice versa, less is known about the effect of the route on the type of allergy evoked and on dose-response relationships. Although, the responses were in general more vigorous after dermal sensitisation than after inhalation sensitisation, the nature of the immune responses seemed to be qualitatively comparable. As to the intensity of exposure, dose or concentration-response relationships have been observed both during respiratory sensitisation and challenge, suggesting that assessment of safe exposure levels is feasible. Finally, a correct distinction between respiratory allergens and non-sensitising airway irritants is needed for effective risk assessment and management.
尽管已经制定了许多测试方案来预测呼吸道致敏潜力，但这些方案均未得到广泛应用或完全认可。然而，鉴于呼吸道过敏引起的严重健康问题以及新化学物质源源不断地流入工作场所，早期识别化学性呼吸道过敏原非常重要。在预测性试验中，吸入暴露以及皮肤涂抹都被用于诱发呼吸道致敏。虽然在实验动物和人类中有充分迹象表明皮肤暴露可作为呼吸道致敏的途径，反之亦然，但对于暴露途径对诱发的过敏类型以及剂量反应关系的影响了解较少。尽管一般来说，皮肤致敏后的反应比吸入致敏后的反应更强烈，但免疫反应的性质在质量上似乎具有可比性。至于暴露强度，在呼吸道致敏和激发过程中均观察到了剂量或浓度反应关系，这表明评估安全暴露水平是可行的。最后，为了进行有效的风险评估和管理，需要正确区分呼吸道过敏原和非致敏性气道刺激物。
