Nasal irrigation is an important adjuvant therapy for nasosinusis diseases. Many hydroelectrolytic solutions have been used for it, but studies are lacking to analyze the histological reactions they may cause to the nasal mucosa. PURPOSE: to examine the histological patterns in nasal mucosa after application of three different hydroelectrolytic solutions. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 120 Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups. Group number 1 received a 0.9% saline solution. Group's number 2 and 3 received solutions composed by Sodium Chloride, associated to Potassium Chloride and Glucose in different concentrations. Group 4 was the control group. Twice a day, 0.1ml (2 drops) of the solutions were applied to the rats left nostril, using a bulb syringe. Half of the rats of each group were sacrificed after 1 week and the rest after 4 weeks of nasal irrigation. The collected nasal septal mucosa was studied on H&E stain, under optic microscopy. RESULTS: Inflammatory cell infiltration was statistically more intense for the group 2, in both 1 and 4 weeks of drug administration (p<0,05), when compared to the control group. Intraepithelial glandular formation was statistically more evident in the group 1, when compared to the groups 3 and 4 (p<0,05). CONCLUSION: The hypertonic hydroelectrolytic solution tested caused the lowest tissue reaction on rats' nasal mucosa when compared with the control group. No advantages were found in using 0,9% saline solution in comparison with the others solutions tested.
nasal lavage fluid; nasal mucosa; sodium chloride; rats
