Correlation between eosinophilic distribution pattern in nasal secretions and serum immunoglobulin E in children with perennial nasal allergy

The distribution of eosinophils within the nasal cavities together with estimation of serum immunoglobulin E [IgE] were studied in 20 children with perennial allergic rhinitis [study group]. They were selected from both Pediatric and ENT Outpatient Clinics, El-Husain University Hospital. Their age ranged from 9 to 16 years and both sexes were involved. These patients were compared with age matched 10 healthy children as a control group. Nasal smears from 3 sites in each side of the nose [post-nasal space, middle and inferior turbinates], together with determination of serum IgE levels have been carried out to all cases in both groups. Results showed that, the distribution of eosinophils in the nasal cavities was significantly correlated with serum IgE levels in diseased children. The post-nasal space has been proven statistically to be the site of choice for representative sampling for more accurate eosinophilic expression

Effect of different types of stress on blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol in rabbits

Fasting serum levels of glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol were determined and compared in 18 rabbits pre and 5 minutes post exposure to stress. Animals were fed the same type of diet for 2 weeks and then divided into 3 groups. Each group was subjected for 5 minutes to one of the following stressful conditions: a] Physical stress where rabbits were forced to run on a motorized treadmill [Healthstyler FJE-620] at a rate of 2 km/hr; b] Cold stress in which rabbits were immersed in cold water at 4 degree C, and c] Pain stress by pressing strong clamps on the fore-limbs of rabbits. Serum glucose level was increased significantly in response to all 3 stressful stimuli, while scrum triglycerides level was only increased significantly post physical and cold stresses but not after pain stress. The highest values were recorded post cold stress especially for triglycerides which reached almost triple their pre stress values. Pain stress, however, gave the smallest response. On the other hand, serum cholesterol level obtained post all 3 types of stressors was not significantly different from its pre stress value. Longer periods of stress are probably required in order to get significant changes in serum cholesterol level. Several neuro-endocrinal and chemical factors have been incriminated in this response which include: catecholamines, glucocorticoids, glucagon, plasma lipid peroxide, beta-endorphin, and endogenous opioids