Review Article
Consensus on the methodology for experimental studies in allergic rhinitis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.03.009Get rights and content

Abstract

Objectives

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced by allergen exposure, which triggers immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inflammation of the nasal membranes. Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common health problems and has a major effect on the quality of life.

Methods

In this review, we aimed to provide a consensus for experimental studies on allergic rhinitis in terms of allergic rhinitis models. For this purpose, we searched for experimental studies in the PubMed, Proquest Central, and Google electronic databases over a 20-year period from the current time (1996–2016). The literature survey was performed using keywords including “allergic rhinitis”, “experimental”, “animal”, “model”, “rat”, “rabbit”, “guinea pig”, and “mice” alone or in various combinations. The search identified a total of 285 papers, which were included in this review.

Results

It is vital to select a suitable animal for an allergic model. Rodents like rats, guinea pigs, and mice can produce allergen-specific antibodies with the use of adjuvants. Rats are cheap and the vast majority of the allergen-specific antibodies are immunoglobulin E (IgE). Still, intraperitoneal sensitization is inescapable and adjuvants are required for sensitization. Rats, mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs can be utilized for this reason.

Conclusion

This review presented allergic rhinitis models in rats, mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits. Using these methods, researchers may perform well-designed studies.

Introduction

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced by allergen exposure, which triggers immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated aggravation of the nasal membranes [1]. It affects 10–30% of the population worldwide, mainly children and adolescents [2]. In atopic individuals, delayed exposure to indoor or outdoor allergens may induce an allergen-specific IgE production. Re-exposure triggers a course of events (including early- and late-stage reactions) that result in AR. The early-stage reaction occurs quickly after re-exposure to the culpable allergen, and is characterized by sudden sniffling, nasal tingling, nasal blockage, and rhinorrhea [3].

AR is a well-known medical issue that can have a major effect on personal satisfaction [4]. It is described by nasal indications including rhinorrhea, tingling, wheezing, and nasal blockage [5]. AR includes nasal aggravation that results from IgE-induced reactions to particular allergens [5,6]. Although new-era antihistamines and nasal steroids are the primary treatment options, they are not effective for some patients. Other than basic symptoms, for example, nasal symptoms and epistaxis, the use of these medications is also contraindicated in some patients, for example, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding [7,8]. Thus, there is a need for the development of new treatment options [9].

The increasing prevalence of allergic disease raises concerns regarding general wellbeing, particularly in developing nations [10]. Treatment costs may be high and long-term treatment can lead to difficulties. For these reasons, a number of studies on AR, including experimental studies, have been performed [11].

Section snippets

Review methodology

In this review, we aimed to achieve consensus on experimental studies on AR in terms of the development of an AR model. For this purpose, we searched all experimental studies indexed in the PubMed, ProQuest Central, and Google electronic databases published over a 20-year period from 1996 to 2016. The literature survey was performed using the keywords “allergic rhinitis”, “experimental”, “animal”, “model”, “rat”, “rabbit”, “guinea pig”, and “mice” alone or in different combinations. The search

Which animal should be used for AR: rats, Guinea pigs, or mice?

It is imperative to pick an animal suitable for an allergic model. Rodents like rats, guinea pigs, or mice can create allergen-specific antibodies with the use of adjuvants. Rats are cheap and the vast majority of allergen-specific antigens are IgE produced due to the immune response. However, intraperitoneal refinement is inescapable, and adjuvant is required for sharpening. Guinea pigs, which are often used as a part of asthma models, are easily managed and can be sensitized with inhaled

Sensitization

All rats aside from the controls were sensitized with an intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA, 100 μg/animal) and aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3, “5 mg/animal”) in “0.9% (weight per volume) saline on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 (a total of seven injections)”. From day 14 onward, the animals were exposed daily to topical intranasal administration of 50 μL of 2% OVA in “saline (weight per volume) for 14 days (25 μL per nostril)” [11,[13], [14], [15], [16]].

IgE measurement

On day 28, “serum IgE levels”

Sensitization

The mice were administered an intraperitoneal injection of “20 μg of OVA and 100 μL of Al(OH)3 with 0.2 mL saline” as an adjuvant at three time points over “two weeks (days 0, 7, and 14)”. The mice were then administered 10 μL OVA to both nasal cavities twice per day for three weeks to encourage nasal sensitization [19].

Confirmation of sensitization

Sensitization was confirmed by measuring serum “OVA-specific IgE” levels using an “enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)”. Three weeks after the end of OVA sensitization,

The method described by Chen et al. [20]

A method for active sensitization was performed as described previously, with some adjustment [[20], [21], [22]]. Guinea pigs in the AR group were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of “OVA (80 μg/animal) and Al(OH)3 (5 mg/animal) suspended in 0.9% saline on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21”. Al(OH)3 gel was utilized as an adjuvant. Non-sensitized animals were administered a suspension of Al(OH)3 gel without ICA. Following six days of systemic sensitization, the guinea pigs were sensitized by

The method described by Güneş et al. [27]

First stage: Five milliliters of a solution containing 100 mL 0.9% serum physiologic (SP), 30 mg OVA (review V, Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA), and 3 g Al(OH)3 was injected intraperitoneally every two days for 14 days in the rabbits in the AR group [27].

Second stage: Another solution containing 10 mL SP and 1 g OVA was dropped in both nostrils of rabbits one time every two days from the from 14 t h to the 18 t h days [27].

Five milliliters SP was injected intraperitoneally seven times to rabbits in

Conclusion

It is vital to select a suitable animal for the development of an allergic model. Rodents such as rats, guinea pigs, and mice can develop allergen-specific antibodies utilizing adjuvants. Rats are cheap, and the vast majority of allergen-specific antibodies are IgE. Still, intraperitoneal sensitization is inescapable, and adjuvants are required for sensitization. Thus, rats, mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs can be utilized for this purpose.

Conflicts of interest

Conflict of Interest Drs. Kar, Bayar Muluk, Bafaqeeh and Cingi declare no conflicts of interest.

Author contribution

Murat Kar: Planning, literature survey.

Nuray Bayar Muluk: Planning, literature survey, writing the manuscript, submission.

Sameer Ali Bafaqeeh: Planning, literature survey, English editing.

Cemal Cingi: Planning, literature survey.

Ethical approval

There is no need to take ethical approval, because this paper is review.

Informed consent

There is no need to take informed consent, because this paper is review.

Funding

There is no financial disclosures of the authors.

Acknowledgments

With exception of data collection, preparation of this paper including design and planning was supported by Continuous Education and Scientific Research Association, Turkey.

References (28)

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