Scanning electron microscopic studies of the nasal mucosa in normal rabbit and rabbit exposed to alcalase.

The authors investigated the epithelium of the nasal mucous membrane with SEM to enable critical evaluation of alterations induced by the allergic reactions following endonasal application of Alcalase in rabbits. Experimental animals were previously submitted to 6-week intraperitoneal Alcalase sensitization, Biopsy specimens of the mucous membrane of the nasal septum were studied. Our study had confirmed alterations occurring in the epithelium following anaphylactic reaction to Alcalase. The significant morphological changes observed were formation of cytoplasm protuberances in the epithelial cells, and irregular epithelium with widened intercellular spaces, ladin leading to destruction of the respiratory epithelium.