Effect of ionic compositions in nasal irrigations on human olfactory thresholds

Kent Lam; David B. Conley; Kevin Liu; Robert C. Kern; Bruce K. Tan; Claus Peter Richter

doi:10.1002/lary.24941

Effect of ionic compositions in nasal irrigations on human olfactory thresholds

Kent Lam, David B. Conley, Kevin Liu, Robert C. Kern, Bruce K. Tan, Claus Peter Richter^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Otolaryngology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasal irrigations are commonly employed to promote nasal hygiene in the treatment of various sinonasal conditions. Few studies have evaluated how the ionic composition of irrigation solutions affects olfactory performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the dose responsiveness of human olfactory thresholds for each of the following ions: potassium, sodium, and calcium. Study Design: Prospective translational study. Methods: Irrigation solutions with variable potassium, sodium, and calcium were tested in 25 healthy human participants. Six potassium concentrations (range, 2-10 mM), six sodium concentrations (range, 73.7-113.7 mM), and three calcium concentrations (range, 0.44-0.64 mM) were used. Before and immediately following irrigations, olfactory thresholds were determined using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Differences in olfactory threshold scores before and after irrigations were compared to assess the effect of ionic composition on olfactory sensitivity. Results: Physiologic concentrations of potassium, sodium, and calcium at 5.7, 89.5, and 0.54 mM, respectively, did not significantly change olfactory thresholds. Variations in both potassium and sodium concentrations demonstrated statistically significant dose-dependent elevations in olfactory thresholds (P < .05). Only the calcium concentration that was lower than the physiologic level led to significant elevations in olfactory thresholds. Conclusions: Different potassium and sodium concentrations in irrigation solutions provide distinctive dose-dependent shifts in olfactory thresholds. Calcium concentrations also elevate olfactory thresholds, but calcium plays a less significant role than potassium and sodium in modulating olfactory thresholds. These results highlight the importance of the intranasal ionic microenvironment in olfactory physiology and suggest that optimal ionic concentrations in irrigation solutions exist to preserve olfactory function.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	E50-E56
Journal	Laryngoscope
Volume	125
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.24941
State	Published - Feb 1 2015

Keywords

Nasal lavage
Nasal mucus
Olfaction
Olfactory physiology
Therapeutic irrigation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Otorhinolaryngology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1002/lary.24941

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@article{1c1813cf54ce413e9c043fe8db750217,

title = "Effect of ionic compositions in nasal irrigations on human olfactory thresholds",

abstract = "Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasal irrigations are commonly employed to promote nasal hygiene in the treatment of various sinonasal conditions. Few studies have evaluated how the ionic composition of irrigation solutions affects olfactory performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the dose responsiveness of human olfactory thresholds for each of the following ions: potassium, sodium, and calcium. Study Design: Prospective translational study. Methods: Irrigation solutions with variable potassium, sodium, and calcium were tested in 25 healthy human participants. Six potassium concentrations (range, 2-10 mM), six sodium concentrations (range, 73.7-113.7 mM), and three calcium concentrations (range, 0.44-0.64 mM) were used. Before and immediately following irrigations, olfactory thresholds were determined using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Differences in olfactory threshold scores before and after irrigations were compared to assess the effect of ionic composition on olfactory sensitivity. Results: Physiologic concentrations of potassium, sodium, and calcium at 5.7, 89.5, and 0.54 mM, respectively, did not significantly change olfactory thresholds. Variations in both potassium and sodium concentrations demonstrated statistically significant dose-dependent elevations in olfactory thresholds (P < .05). Only the calcium concentration that was lower than the physiologic level led to significant elevations in olfactory thresholds. Conclusions: Different potassium and sodium concentrations in irrigation solutions provide distinctive dose-dependent shifts in olfactory thresholds. Calcium concentrations also elevate olfactory thresholds, but calcium plays a less significant role than potassium and sodium in modulating olfactory thresholds. These results highlight the importance of the intranasal ionic microenvironment in olfactory physiology and suggest that optimal ionic concentrations in irrigation solutions exist to preserve olfactory function.",

keywords = "Nasal lavage, Nasal mucus, Olfaction, Olfactory physiology, Therapeutic irrigation",

author = "Kent Lam and Conley, {David B.} and Kevin Liu and Kern, {Robert C.} and Tan, {Bruce K.} and Richter, {Claus Peter}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2014 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.",

year = "2015",

month = feb,

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doi = "10.1002/lary.24941",

language = "English (US)",

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T1 - Effect of ionic compositions in nasal irrigations on human olfactory thresholds

AU - Lam, Kent

AU - Conley, David B.

AU - Liu, Kevin

AU - Kern, Robert C.

AU - Tan, Bruce K.

AU - Richter, Claus Peter

PY - 2015/2/1

Y1 - 2015/2/1

N2 - Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasal irrigations are commonly employed to promote nasal hygiene in the treatment of various sinonasal conditions. Few studies have evaluated how the ionic composition of irrigation solutions affects olfactory performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the dose responsiveness of human olfactory thresholds for each of the following ions: potassium, sodium, and calcium. Study Design: Prospective translational study. Methods: Irrigation solutions with variable potassium, sodium, and calcium were tested in 25 healthy human participants. Six potassium concentrations (range, 2-10 mM), six sodium concentrations (range, 73.7-113.7 mM), and three calcium concentrations (range, 0.44-0.64 mM) were used. Before and immediately following irrigations, olfactory thresholds were determined using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Differences in olfactory threshold scores before and after irrigations were compared to assess the effect of ionic composition on olfactory sensitivity. Results: Physiologic concentrations of potassium, sodium, and calcium at 5.7, 89.5, and 0.54 mM, respectively, did not significantly change olfactory thresholds. Variations in both potassium and sodium concentrations demonstrated statistically significant dose-dependent elevations in olfactory thresholds (P < .05). Only the calcium concentration that was lower than the physiologic level led to significant elevations in olfactory thresholds. Conclusions: Different potassium and sodium concentrations in irrigation solutions provide distinctive dose-dependent shifts in olfactory thresholds. Calcium concentrations also elevate olfactory thresholds, but calcium plays a less significant role than potassium and sodium in modulating olfactory thresholds. These results highlight the importance of the intranasal ionic microenvironment in olfactory physiology and suggest that optimal ionic concentrations in irrigation solutions exist to preserve olfactory function.

AB - Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasal irrigations are commonly employed to promote nasal hygiene in the treatment of various sinonasal conditions. Few studies have evaluated how the ionic composition of irrigation solutions affects olfactory performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the dose responsiveness of human olfactory thresholds for each of the following ions: potassium, sodium, and calcium. Study Design: Prospective translational study. Methods: Irrigation solutions with variable potassium, sodium, and calcium were tested in 25 healthy human participants. Six potassium concentrations (range, 2-10 mM), six sodium concentrations (range, 73.7-113.7 mM), and three calcium concentrations (range, 0.44-0.64 mM) were used. Before and immediately following irrigations, olfactory thresholds were determined using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Differences in olfactory threshold scores before and after irrigations were compared to assess the effect of ionic composition on olfactory sensitivity. Results: Physiologic concentrations of potassium, sodium, and calcium at 5.7, 89.5, and 0.54 mM, respectively, did not significantly change olfactory thresholds. Variations in both potassium and sodium concentrations demonstrated statistically significant dose-dependent elevations in olfactory thresholds (P < .05). Only the calcium concentration that was lower than the physiologic level led to significant elevations in olfactory thresholds. Conclusions: Different potassium and sodium concentrations in irrigation solutions provide distinctive dose-dependent shifts in olfactory thresholds. Calcium concentrations also elevate olfactory thresholds, but calcium plays a less significant role than potassium and sodium in modulating olfactory thresholds. These results highlight the importance of the intranasal ionic microenvironment in olfactory physiology and suggest that optimal ionic concentrations in irrigation solutions exist to preserve olfactory function.

KW - Nasal lavage

KW - Nasal mucus

KW - Olfaction

KW - Olfactory physiology

KW - Therapeutic irrigation

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SP - E50-E56

JO - Laryngoscope

JF - Laryngoscope

IS - 2

ER -

Effect of ionic compositions in nasal irrigations on human olfactory thresholds

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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