鼻塞是許多人都有過的經驗，然而根據文獻，鼻塞感覺與客觀鼻腔阻力數據之間並沒有顯著相關連。低溫是重要的血管運動性鼻炎的刺激因子。transient receptor potential，簡稱TRP，是一種具有多種生物功能的非選擇性陽離子通道，其中，TRP (melastatin)subfamily的TRPM8可以被低溫（約24℃）及薄荷（menthol , C10H20O）活化，又可稱為冷受體（cold receptor），薄荷使鼻腔有清涼的感受，受試者在使用薄荷蒸汽前、後，其鼻阻力測試儀（rhinomanometer）所得數據及鼻黏膜血流量均無差異。以雷射都卜勒血流儀測量，降低室溫（由25℃至4℃），18例受試者鼻黏膜血流量將減少。以免疫組織染色發現TRPM8 在鼻黏膜組織的蛋白質表現。動物實驗發現大鼠鼻中隔黏膜組織TRPM8蛋白質表現，且受薄荷（menthol）調控收縮。因此發現，由低溫（約24℃）及薄荷（menthol）所活化的TRPM8 ，可能參與血管運動性鼻炎的鼻黏膜組織中血管及腺體的調節有關。Nasal obstruction is a subjective symptom of limited airflow through the nose. However, the correlation between nasal obstruction and nasal resistance is poor and the pathophysiology is unknown.Cold air exposure triggers the symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis, such as sneezing, rhinorrhea. Transient receptor potential (TRP) is a superfamily of nonselective cation channels with multiple functions. Among them, the TRPM8 can be activated by moderate cooling (24℃) and menthol. Dynamic analysis of Laser-Doppler blood flowmetry is employed to recognize the difference of blood flow. Cold air exposure could reduce the nasal mucosa blood flow. The cool sensation caused by application of menthol to the skin or mucosal surfaces is apparent, but there is no literature regarding the relative mechanism. The aim of our study is to investigate the correlation between nasal mucosa blood flow before and after the use of and menthol. Moreover, we also have studied cold receptor TRPM8 in normal human mucosa. The expression level of TRPM8 in nasal mucosa tissue may be responsible for the variable feeling of nasal obstruction/patency, and the TRPM8 may play a role in vasomotor rhinitis.
