NCT00011440

Pollutant Altered Allergic Responses

Markers of Pollutant Altered Allergic Responses

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 20 (planned)
• Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) · NIH
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study is designed to investigate whether exposure to particulate air pollution increases the allergic response to allergens. Research studies suggest that symptoms in individuals with allergies may be aggravated by exposure to particulate air pollution. We sought to experimental determine this by exposing human volunteers to combustion particles, a component of air pollution, and then challenge them with an allergen such as ragweed or oak tree pollen. Using biological tests we can measure whether the allergen response is magnified by prior particulate exposure.

Detailed description

To study whether particulates enhance the allergic response, we chose the upper airway as a model of allergic inflammation and nasal lavage as a non-invasive method for obtaining samples. The nasal cavity is both an excellent model of allergic inflammation and provides an easily accessible site for study. We measured inflammatory cells and cytokines in the nasal lavage fluid. Our specific hypothesis was that particulate exposure prior to allergen challenge would enhance inflammatory cell recruitment and expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Conditions

• Allergic Rhinitis
• Allergy

Timeline

• Start date: 1998-12-01
• Completion: 2002-08-01
• First posted: 2001-02-21
• Last updated: 2006-03-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States