Objective: To investigate the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) on the concentration of acetylcholinesterase in nasal glands of guinea pig.
Method: Eighteen male guinea pigs were randomly divided into BTA group and control group. Merocel sponge soaked with 10 U (0.2 ml) BTA was put into left nasal cavity of guinea pig under general anesthesia for one hour in BTA group. Saline replaced BTA in control group. The inferior turbinate mucosae of guinea pig were harvested under general anesthesia at 1, 2, 4 weeks after BTA treatment (3 animals in each group). The tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and paraffin embedded. The concentration of acetylcholinesterase was determined with immunohistochemistry staining.
Result: One, two weeks after local BTA application, the expression of acetylcholinesterase in nasal glandular and canal cells decreased significantly (P < 0.01). It became normal at 4 weeks after BTA treatment.
Conclusion: BTA can decrease the concentration of acetylcholinesterase in nasal glands of guinea pig.