EVALUATION OF ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY IN ALLERGIC AND VASOMOTOR RHINOPATHIES

Abstract

Allergic and vasomotor rhinopathies are well known problems in E.N.T practice. Both conditions are presented clinically with nearly similar manifestations, which cause difficulty in differentiation. Therefore it seems worthwhile to try to differentiate between true allergic and VM rhinopathy for proper management of either condition. The aim of this study was to determine the enzymatic activity of arginine esterase (TAME-esterase), cholinesterase and collagenase enzymes in sera, nasal lavage and saliva of patients with allergic and vasomotor rhinopathies to evaluate the possibility of utilizing one or more enzymes as a biochemical marker to differentiate between the two diseases. Another aim of the study was to determine whether VM instability is a local or generalized autonomic imbalance. The study included 53 patients suffering from nasal obstruction and/or rhinorrhea for at least 2 years duration. The patients were classified into two groups; allergic group and vasomotor group according to the criteria of Mullarkey et al., (1980). On basis ofhistory, nasal examination, skin tests as well as the estimation of IgE serum level. The determined enzymatic levels were compared with those of control healthy group. The control group was composed of 20 normal subjects with no nasal complaint clinically and radiologically free as regards diseases of the nose, nasopharynx and sinuses. The results of this study showed that:- There was a significant increase in cholinesterase activity in serum of patients with allergic rhinitis as compared to control and VMR subjects. On the other hand, there were no significant