The roles of histamine, leukotriene C4 and bradykinin on nasal vascular permeability in experimental nasal allergy of guinea pigs.

The releases of histamine, leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and bradykinin into the nasal cavity were measured following nasal antigenic challenge in ovalbumin (OA) sensitized guinea pigs, or following nasal stimulation with one of these chemical mediators in OA-non-sensitized animals. In sensitized animals, increased vascular permeability of nasal mucosa was recognized immediately after antigenic stimulation and lasted for 90 minutes. The release of histamine into the nasal lavage fluid was observed only immediately after the antigenic stimulation. The releases of LTC4 and kinins into the nasal lavage fluid were augmented not only immediately after the antigenic challenge, but also 60 to 90 minutes after the stimulation. Nasal stimulation with one of these chemical mediators also increased nasal vascular permeability, but lasted for less than 40 minutes. These results suggest that the antigen-induced release of these chemical mediators might play some important roles in early increase of nasal vascular permeability, and that the increase of LTC4 and kinin levels might be involved in the prolonged nasal vascular permeability after nasal allergic response.