AUTORADIOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF STEROID AFFINITY SITES IN NASAL TISSUE

Affinity sites of glucocorticoid (GC) in nasal tissue were investigate d using radiolabelled synthetic GC. The affinity sites of GC are epith elium, vein, leukocyte and gland. The tracer was retained in the cytop lasma but not in the nuclei in most parts of the nasal tissue except f or the endothelial cells of the vein. Therefore we assume that there i s a direct mechanism of steroid action on nasal tissue suffering from allergic rhinitics other than the so-called steroid-receptor complex. Affinity sites of corticosterone (CS) in nasal tissue were investigate d using radiolabelled CS. The differences of affinity sites of GC and mineralcorticoid in unsensitized rats were evaluated, but no major dif ferences between them could be confirmed.