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Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol (October 2, 2009). doi:10.1152/ajplung.00014.2009
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Submitted on January 16, 2009
Revised on September 11, 2009
Accepted on September 27, 2009

THE OLFACTORY SYSTEM IS AFFECTED BY STEROID AEROSOL TREATMENT IN MICE

Carla Mucignat-Caretta1*, Michela Bondi1, Alessandro Rubini2, Fiorella Calabrese3, and Angelo Barbato2

1 University of Padova, Italy
2 University of Padova
3 Medical School of Padova

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: carla.mucignat{at}unipd.it.

Asthma needs continuous treatment often for years. In humans, some drugs are administered via aerosol, therefore they come in contact with both respiratory and olfactory mucosa. We explored the possibility that anti-asthma corticosteroid treatment could influence the olfactory function by passage through the nose. A group of mice was exposed twice daily for 42 days to fluticasone propionate aerosol and was compared to a control group. Olfactory behavior, respiratory mechanics, histology and immunoreactivity in the olfactory system were assessed. Fluticasone-treated mice were slower in retrieving a piece of hidden food, but both groups were similarly fast when the food was visible. When a clearly detectable odor was present in the environment, all mice behaved in a similar way. Respiratory mechanics indices were similar in all mice, except for the viscose resistance which was reduced in fluticasone-treated mice. Olfactory mucosa of fluticasone-treated mice was thicker than that of controls. Slight but consistent differences in staining were present for Olfactory Marker Protein but not for other proteins. A mild impairment of olfactory function is present in mice chronically treated with fluticasone aerosol, apparently accompanied by slight modifications of the olfactory receptor cells, and suggests monitoring of olfactory function modifications in long-term steroid users.







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