Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 70, Issue 1 282-286, Copyright © 1991 by American Physiological Society
Effect of capsaicin on nasal secretion in anesthetized ferrets
H. Mizoguchi and M. L. Bergeron
Procter & Gamble Company, Miami Valley Laboratories, Cincinnati, Ohio 45239-8707.
In urethan-anesthetized ferrets, we investigated the nasal response to
capsaicin infused via a catheter inserted retrogradely into the lingual
artery. Capsaicin dose-dependently increased fluid output from the nose
(nasal fluid output) and the lateral nasal gland (glandular fluid output).
The secretory response to capsaicin (80 nmol/kg ia) was completely blocked
by atropine and hexamethonium, indicating that a cholinergic reflex
mediates capsaicin-induced nasal hypersecretion in this model. The amount
of nasal secretions collected as nasal fluid output was similar to that
collected as glandular fluid output, indicating that the lateral nasal
gland contributes significantly to this increase in nasal secretions
induced by intra-arterially administered capsaicin. In addition, the nasal
fluid output had a higher protein concentration and osmolality than the
glandular fluid output. This finding suggests that the gland is not the
sole site of action of capsaicin on the nasal secretory response. It is
likely that capsaicin also increases microvascular permeability, thereby
contributing further to the alteration in the nasal secretions. Finally,
repeated subcutaneous injections of capsaicin significantly reduced the
secretory response to capsaicin, indicating the development of
desensitization in vivo. These results support the role of
capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves in mediating a secretory response in the
ferret nose.
