Pollutant Altered Allergic Responses - Full Text View

Purpose

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.

Condition

Allergic Rhinitis
Allergy

MedlinePlus related topics:

Air Pollution Allergy

U.S. FDA Resources

Study Type:	Observational
Study Design:	Natural History, Longitudinal, Random Sample, Prospective Study

Official Title:	Markers of Pollutant Altered Allergic Responses

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS):

Estimated Enrollment:	20
Study Start Date:	December 1998
Estimated Study Completion Date:	August 2002

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.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	18 Years to 60 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	Yes

Criteria

Adult without a history of asthma or respiratory disease.

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00011440

Locations


United States, Massachusetts
	Harvard School of Public Health
	Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115

Sponsors and Collaborators

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

More Information

Study ID Numbers:	8077-CP-001
First Received:	February 20, 2001
Last Updated:	March 22, 2006
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00011440
Health Authority:	United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS):

Allergy

Air pollution

Lung function

Inflammation

Study placed in the following topic categories:

Hypersensitivity

Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases

Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory Tract Diseases

Hypersensitivity, Immediate

Rhinitis

Inflammation

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Nose Diseases

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on October 10, 2008

Sponsored by:	National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Information provided by:	National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00011440