Nasal Secretions from Patients with Polyps and Healthy Individuals, Collected with a New Aspiration System: Evaluation of Total Protein and Immunoglobulin Concentrations

Abstract

SUMMARY. This study was designed, first, to test a new system for aspiration of human nasal secretions and, secondly, to evaluate protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in these secretions at different levels of secretory activity. The direct aspiration system combines the advantages of minimal irritation of the nasal mucosa with the facility to determine concentrations per gram of secretion. The total protein and immunoglobulin concentrations were inversely related to the amount of secretion obtained. Variations in fluid secretion throughout the day may be responsible for this relationship. The inverse relationship was much more significant in patients with nasal polyps, in which much higher concentrations were found, than in healthy subjects. Ratios of immunoglobulin to total protein were independent of the amount of secretion obtained. Compared to the controls, the ratios of IgM and IgG to protein in the secretions of the patients were significantly increased. The secretory immunoglobulin A to total protein ratios were only slightly higher in the patients' secretions. Additional key phrases: aspiration system; nasal secretions; immunoglobulins; total protein; polyposis nasiThe secretory layer lining the mucosal surfaces in the respiratory tract contains proteins such as lactoferrin and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). These, respectively, inhibit bacterial growth and protect the respiratory mucosa from invasion by micro-organisms. In pathological conditions such as infections or allergic diseases the composition of nasal secretions can vary considerably.' Investigations on nasal secretions have been hampered by the difficulty of obtaining large enough and representative samples.2 Using the nasal lavage method an unknown dilution factor is introduced and, consequently, the immunoglobulin concentrations can only be expressed relative to the total protein conc e n t r a t i o n~.~.~ Nasal secretions have also been collected by absorption onto filter paper5 or by aspiration after stimulation with cellulose sponges.2 In both these methods the mucosa is irritated considerably and the samples obtained may not be representative. We have developed a direct aspiration method which induces minimal stimulation of the nasal mucosa. The samples collected by this method are diluted but the dilution factor can be determined, thus enabling the measurement of absolute concentrations. The system was evaluated by the assay of protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in nasal secretions of healthy individuals and patients with nasal POIYPS. 260

Assessment of Upper Respiratory Tract and Ocular Irritative Effects of Volatile Chemicals in Humans

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Correlations between Complaints, Inflammatory Cells and Mediator Concentrations in Nasal Secretions after Nasal Allergen Challenge and during Natural Allergen Exposure

“…The authors used the Biewenga's aspiration system [12]. The sam ples were collected by repeated aspiration from the middle meatus and from the floor o f both nasal cavities, into a preweighed plastic sam pling tube.…”

Concentrations of Myeloperoxidase in Nasal Secretions of Atopic Patients after Nasal Allergen Challenge and during Natural Allergen Exposure

“…The authors used the Biewenga aspiration system [8]. The samples were collected by repeated aspiration from the middle meatus and from the floor of both nasal cavities using a metal aspiration tube with an inner diameter of 0.5 mm into a preweighed plastic sampling tube.…”

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