Reduction by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) of antigen-induced nasal airway plasma extravasation in human subjects in vivo.

In non-allergic subjects, histamine induced a reduction of minimal nasal cross-sectional area (Amin) and an increase in albumin release into nasal lavage. The effect of histamine on albumin release was inhibited by pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 1 mumol but not by D-NAME, 1 mumol. L-NAME, 1 and 10 mumol, did not inhibit the histamine-induced reduction of Amin. In subjects allergic to grass pollen, antigen challenge induced a reduction in Amin that was not changed by pretreatment with L-NAME, and an increase in albumin release that was inhibited by L-NAME, 1 mumol. The data support a role for nitric oxide in mediating plasma extravasation in the nose induced by antigen challenge or histamine.