Acute effects of inhaled sulphur dioxide on pig nasal vascular and airway resistances

Abstract

People complain about nasal stuffiness after SO2 exposure. This study was to investigate the acute effects of SO2 on nasal vascular and airway resistances in anaesthetized pigs for elucidating the underlying vascular and control mechanisms. Controlled ventilation was passed to the lungs or retrogradely through each nasal cavity. Nasal airway and lower airway pressures were measured to reflect airflow resistance changes. Systemic arterial pressure and nasal arterial flow were measured to calculate nasal vascular resistance. Nasal and pulmonary SO2 challenges were given. At 2 ppm, SO2 decreased systemic blood pressure and nasal vascular resistance but increased nasal airway and lower airway resistances. With increasing level to 8 ppm, SO2 increased systemic arterial pressure, nasal vascular and lower airway resistances but decreased nasal airway resistance. Nasal and pulmonary challenges induced similar responses. Ipsilateral nasal challenge elicited bilateral responses. Ruthenium red abolished the responses to nasal challenges. Bilateral vagosympathectomy eliminated the responses to lung challenges. Hence, SO2 at 2 ppm causes nasal congestion through sensory reflex vasodilatation but at higher levels nasal decongestion through sensory reflex vasoconstriction. Nasal congestion coupled with bronchoconstriction at levels of SO2 below short-term exposure limit (STEL) (</= 2 ppm) would limit SO2 entering the lungs. Nasal decongestion at levels of SO2 beyond STEL (> 2 ppm) can effectively decrease total airway resistance as concurrent strong bronchoconstriction may impair ventilation.