Abstract
The hallmark of sensory hyperreactivity is an enhanced capsaicin induced cough reflex. The cough reflex can be modified by activation of nociceptive (capsaicin-sensitive) nerve terminals. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of exposure to CO2 concentrations up to 2.0 vol% on capsaicin induced cough reflex on four different occasions. Sixteen healthy volunteers were exposed to CO2 concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 vol% for 4 h and to clean air in a repeated measures cross-over design. After exposure the capsaicin induced cough reflex was assessed by the single breath dose–response method according to ERS 2007 guidelines. After blank solutions, capsaicin doses (n=12, range 0.49 to 1000 μM) were administrated from a nebulizer combined with a provocation system (Masterscope, software APS version 5.02). Doses were doubled every minute and the concentration causing five or more coughs (C5) was fixed as the end point. The inter-individual C5 capsaicin responsiveness reflected a representative range (0.95–1000 μM). On an intra-individual basis, a good reproducibility could be demonstrated for four tests within 3 weeks. There was no influence of CO2 challenge on the cough reflex. The first capsaicin test demonstrated a lower C5 threshold independent of the CO2 concentration applied. In conclusion, assessing the capsaicin cough reflex by single breath inhalation is reliable. However, the at cough sensitivity might be overestimated at the first test occasion. Exposure to CO2 in concentrations of up to 2.0 vol% has no effect on sensory reactivity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
American Thoracic Society. (1995). Standardization of spirometry, 1994 update. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 152, 1107–1136.
Antus, B., Barta, I., Kullmann, T., Lazar, Z., Valyon, M., Horvath, I., & Csiszer, E. (2010). Assessment of exhaled breath condensate pH in exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A longitudinal study. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 182, 1492–1497.
Barros, M. J., Zammattio, S. L., & Rees, P. J. (1991). Effect of changes in inspiratory flow rate on cough responses to inhaled capsaicin. Clinical Science (London, England), 81, 539–542.
Brooks, S. M. (2008). Irritant-induced chronic cough: Irritant-induced TRPpathy. Lung, 186(Suppl 1), S88–S93.
Dicpinigaitis, P. V. (2003). Short- and long-term reproducibility of capsaicin cough challenge testing. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 16, 61–65.
Dicpinigaitis, P. V., & Alva, R. V. (2005). Safety of capsaicin cough challenge testing. Chest, 128, 196–202.
Gu, Q., & Lee, L. Y. (2002). Alveolar hypercapnia augments pulmonary C-fiber responses to chemical stimulants: Role of hydrogen ion. Journal of Applied Physiology, 9, 181–188.
Hansson, L., Wollmer, P., Dahlbäck, M., & Karlsson, J. A. (1992). Regional sensitivity of human airways to capsaicin-induced cough. American Review of Respiratory Disease, 145, 1191–1195.
Ho, C. Y., Gu, Q., Lin, Y. S., & Lee, L. Y. (2001). Sensitivity of vagal afferent endings to chemical irritants in the rat lung. Respiration Physiology, 127, 113–124.
Holst, H., Arendt-Nielsen, L., Mosbech, H., Vesterhauge, S., & Elberling, J. (2010). The capsaicin cough reflex in patients with symptoms elicited by odorous chemicals. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 213, 66–71.
Johansson, A., Löwhagen, O., Millqvist, E., & Bende, M. (2002). Capsaicin inhalation test for identification of sensory hyperreactivity. Respiratory Medicine, 96, 731–735.
Kopec, S. E., Irwin, R. S., Debellis, R. J., Bohlke, M. B., & Maher, T. J. (2008). The effects of Tween-80 on the integrity of solutions of capsaicin: Useful information for performing tussigenic challenges. Cough, 4, 3.
Lee, L. Y., Kwong, K., Lin, Y. S., & Gu, Q. (2002). Hypersensitivity of bronchopulmonary C-fibers induced by airway mucosal inflammation: Cellular mechanisms. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 15, 199–204.
McLatchie, L. M., & Bevan, S. (2001). The effects of pH on the interaction between capsaicin and the vanilloid receptor in rat dorsal root ganglia neurons. British Journal of Pharmacology, 132, 899–908.
Merget, R., Jörres, R. A., Heinze, E., Haufs, M. G., Taeger, D., & Brüning, T. (2009). Development of a 1-concentration-4-step dosimeter protocol for methacholine testing. Respiratory Medicine, 103, 607–613.
Millqvist, E. (2008). Mechanisms of increased airway sensitivity to occupational chemicals and odors. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 8, 135–139.
Millqvist, E., Bende, M., & Löwhagen, O. (1998). Sensory hyperreactivity – A possible mechanism underlying cough and asthma-like symptoms. Allergy, 53, 1208–1212.
Morice, A. H., Fontana, G. A., Belvisi, M. G., Birring, S. S., Chung, K. F., Dicpinigaitis, P. V., Kastelik, J. A., McGarvey, L. P., Smith, J. A., Tatar, M., Widdicombe, J., & European Respiratory Society (ERS). (2007). ERS guidelines on the assessment of cough. European Respiratory Journal, 29, 1256–1276.
Pisi, G., Olivieri, D., & Chetta, A. (2009). The airway neurogenic inflammation: Clinical and pharmacological implications. Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets, 8, 176–181.
Raulf-Heimsoth, M., Hoffmeyer, F., van Thriel, C., Blaszkewicz, M., Bünger, J., & Brüning, T. (2010). Assessment of low dose effects of acute sulphur dioxide exposure on the airways using non-invasive methods. Archives of Toxicology, 84, 121–127.
Sigsgaard, T., Nowak, D., Annesi-Maesano, I., Nemery, B., Torén, K., Viegi, G., Radon, K., Burge, S., Heederik, D., & ERS EOH group 6.2. (2010). ERS position paper: Work-related respiratory diseases in the EU. European Respiratory Journal, 35, 234–238.
Smith, L., & McFadden, E. R., Jr. (1995). Bronchial hyperreactivity revisited. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 74, 454–469.
Ternesten-Hasséus, E., Lowhagen, O., & Millqvist, E. (2007). Quality of life and capsaicin sensitivity in patients with airway symptoms induced by chemicals and scents: A longitudinal study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115, 425–429.
Varechova, S., Plevkova, J., Javorka, M., & Hanacek, J. (2006). Reliability of the capsaicin cough reflex sensitivity test in healthy children. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 57(Suppl 4), 365–373.
Widdicombe, J., Tatar, M., Fontana, G., Hanacek, J., Davenport, P., Lavorini, F., Bolser, D., et al. (2011). Other participants. Workshop: Tuning the ‘cough center’. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 24, 344–352.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this article.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this paper
Cite this paper
Hoffmeyer, F. et al. (2013). Reproducibility of Sensitivity to Capsaicin Assessed by Single Breath Inhalation Methodology. In: Pokorski, M. (eds) Respiratory Regulation - Clinical Advances. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 755. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4546-9_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4546-9_9
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-4545-2
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-4546-9
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)