Nasal allergy-like symptoms aggravated by ozone exposure in a concentration-dependent manner in guinea pigs

Toxicology. 2004 Jun 1;199(1):73-83. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2004.01.008.

Abstract

Our previous study revealed that exposure to 0.4 ppm ozone (O(3)) enhanced nasal allergy-like reactions in guinea pigs. In the present study, we investigated the concentration-dependency of the effects of exposure to O(3) on the aggravation of nasal allergy-like reactions induced by repeated nasal administration of antigen. Guinea pigs were exposed to filtered air or 0.1-0.6 ppm O(3) for 5 weeks. After each weekly administration of ovalbumin (OVA), sneezes and nasal secretions were measured. The number of eosinophils infiltrating the nasal septum and the titers of OVA-specific antibody were measured 24h after the last administration. Ozone increased sneezing and nasal secretion induced by OVA, nasal responsiveness to physical stimuli, and the number of infiltrating eosinophils in a concentration-dependent manner. The titer of anti-OVA-IgG was increased in animals exposed to 0.6 ppm O(3). Thus, exposure to O(3) aggravated nasal allergy-like symptoms concentration dependently. The aggravation was caused by induction of nasal hyperresponsiveness, the infiltration of eosinophils, and the increase in the production of anti-OVA-IgG. The estimated maximum likelihood estimation concentrations (MLECs) and bench mark concentrations (BMCs) of O(3) for these indices were in the range of 0.09-0.18 and 0.02-0.06 ppm, respectively.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Animals
  • Benchmarking
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Eosinophils / drug effects
  • Eosinophils / pathology
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Male
  • Nasal Mucosa / drug effects*
  • Nasal Mucosa / immunology
  • Nasal Mucosa / pathology
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Oxidants, Photochemical / administration & dosage
  • Oxidants, Photochemical / toxicity*
  • Ozone / administration & dosage
  • Ozone / toxicity*
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / chemically induced*
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / immunology
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / pathology
  • Sneezing / drug effects

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Oxidants, Photochemical
  • Ozone
  • Ovalbumin