Role of aluminum adjuvant in producing an allergic rhinitis animal model.

This study evaluated different dosage forms of aluminum adjuvant in generating allergic rhinitis animal models. Forty female BALB/c mice were assigned to four groups, including three dosage forms of aluminum adjuvant [powder, gel, and hydrosolvent of aluminum hydroxide, Al(OH)3] mixed with ovalbumin to simulate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and one control group. Although the aluminum adjuvants were in different dosage forms, the content was 5 mg after conversion in all groups. The fourth group was given normal saline instead as a control. Mice of the powder group displayed typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis. We also found discrete eosinophils in the nasal mucosa of mice from the hydrosolvent group; however, no eosinophils were found in the gel group. These two groups both displayed cytotoxic symptoms and foreign body granuloma. Aluminum adjuvant used in producing animal models can induce foreign body granuloma and other untoward reactions, which are associated with the dosage level and form.