OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of Pranlukast in nasal mucosal remodeling in experimental allergic rhinitis.

METHODSFourteen male guinea pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, ovalbumin (OVA) group and OVA + Pranlukast group. In the OVA group and OVA + Pranlukast group, OVA sensitized Hartley guinea pigs were exposured intranasally to OVA for a total of 12 weeks, the OVA + Pranlukast group received additional Pranlukast treatment from the second week to the 12th week. Paraffin embedded sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS), and Masson's Trichrome (MT). Infiltrating eosinophils, the number of goblet cells in the surface epithelium and gland cells in subepithelial nasal septal mucosa were counted. The damage of epithelium in nasal septum and extracellular matrix of nasal septal mucosa and conchae were determined.

RESULTSCompared with the control, the prolonged OVA exposure protocol caused significant pathological changes in the nasal mucosa, which included eosinophils infiltration into epithelium and submucosa (106.90 +/- 13.66), significant goblet hyperplasia (22.05 +/- 5.81/mm), epithelial damage (intact epithelium: 47.25% +/- 7.67%) and deposition of extracellular matrix. These changes were significantly inhibited by Pranlukast, in which group, there were few eosinophils(8.95 +/- 2.32) , few goblet cells (5.73 +/- 1.07/mm), and relative intact epithelium (intact epithelium: 83.15% +/- 8.05%), and no significant ECM deposition.

CONCLUSIONSEarly Pranlukast intervention could inhibit nasal mucosal remodeling in allergic rhinitis.