ヒト鼻粘膜水分蒸散量の加齢による変化  [in Japanese] AGE DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSEPITHELIAL WATER LOSS IN HUMAN NASAL MUCOSA  [in Japanese]

【背景】老人にみられる鼻の乾燥感あるいは乾燥性鼻炎の存在は知られているが,その詳細な基礎的メカニズムは不明である.その理由の一つとして,客観的な診断法が確立されていないことがあげられる.本研究では,鼻粘膜水分蒸散量の年齢変化について焦点を当て検討した.【方法】対象は,10〜75歳の88名のボランティアで,Tewameter TM300(Courage+Khazaka electric, Germany,日本総代理店:インテグラル)により,水分蒸散量の測定をおこなった.【結果】鼻粘膜水分蒸散量は,年齢により増加する傾向が認められた.【結語】老人にみられる鼻の乾燥感あるいは乾燥性鼻炎の発症機序に,鼻粘膜上皮水分蒸散量の増加が関与する可能性が示唆された.

Background: Dry nose is a common complaint in the elderly. Age distribution of transepithelial water loss of human nasal mucosa (TEWL) value was evaluated in this study. Methods: Eighty-eight volunteers (50 men and 30 women) ranging from 10 to 75 years old were recruited for this study. Measurement of TEWL was performed on the inferior nasal turbinate. TEWL was measured with an evaporation meter applying Fick's law (Tewameter TM 300; Courage and Khazaka, Cologne, Germany). Results: TEWL value tends to increase in order of age, indicating that the barrier function of epithelium may decline with age. Conclusion: The measurement of transepithelial water loss should be contributed to assess the efficiency of nasal mucosal barrier disorders in the elderly.