House dust mite allergens express protease activity and it has been suggested that this property has pathogenic effects by increasing airway absorption. In accordance, house dust mite allergens may increase mucosal permeability in vitro. The objective of the present study was to examine nasal absorption of desmopressin (1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin) in patients with perennial house dust mite allergic rhinitis and in healthy subjects in vivo. Patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were examined after a 4-week treatment withdrawal period, when symptoms of allergic rhinitis occurred, and healthy subjects were examined together with the patients. Desmopressin (20 microg ml(-1)) was moved into the nasal cavity using a nasal pool-device that contained 15 ml fluid. The fluid was kept in the nasal cavity for 15 min and then recovered. Urine was collected for 24 h after the nasal administration and the urinary excretion of desmopressin was determined as an index of nasal absorption. The urinary excretion of desmopressin was 1148+/-535 pmol 24 h(-1) in patients with perennial house dust mite allergic rhinitis and 1012+/-291 pmol 24 h(-1) in healthy subjects. We conclude that nasal airway absorption of the 1067 Da peptide desmopressin is unaffected in perennial house dust mite allergic rhinitis compared with healthy subjects.