Tryptase levels in nasal-lavage fluid as an indicator of the immediate XXXX response.

@entity5254 @entity56 @entity2023 @entity112
To examine mast cell involvement in @entity2023 , levels of tryptase, a specific marker for mast cell activation, and @entity112 , a marker of mast cell and basophil activation, were measured in nasal-lavage fluid after nasal-allergen challenge. Twelve @entity2023 and five nonatopic subjects were challenged with timothy grass or ragweed pollen at increasing doses of allergen. Tryptase and @entity112 levels were determined by an ELISA and radioenzyme assay, respectively; clinical responses were measured by assessment of sneezing, @entity5254 , nasal congestion, and ocular tearing or itching. A positive clinical response was observed in seven of the atopic subjects and in none of the nonatopic subjects. Tryptase levels increased at least sevenfold higher than baseline levels in 100% of the atopic clinical responders and reached a maximum at the same dose of allergen where clinical symptoms were maximal. In contrast, @entity112 levels were only threefold or greater elevated in five of seven atopic clinical responders at this dose of allergen. ( @entity112 levels were lower in one subject and were only 50% higher in another subject than the corresponding baseline value.) @entity112 levels and symptom scores were maximal at the same dose of allergen in only four of seven clinical responders. Overlap of peak mediator levels in subjects without a clinical response with those of the clinical responders occurred only in the case of @entity112 . Tryptase levels in nasal-lavage fluid appear promising as a useful indicator of @entity56 and indicate that mast cell activation is the major factor in the immediate nasal- @entity56 response.
