Comparative study of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. pollens allergenicity in two regions of Bushehr province in Iran

Pollen grains can play an important role in allergic diseases and many studies have revealed that allergenicity increases in industrial cities. In Bushehr province in Iran Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. has grown in two regions, Bordekhoon (Mond protected Area) and Assaluyeh (Marine National Park of Nayband). Assaluyeh (polluted area) is an industrial region with petrochemical factories that pollute area but Bordekhoon (control area) is devoid of petrochemical pollutants. Avicennia marina pollens from each region were collected and examined by scanning electron microscopy. In order to study allergenic properties of Avicennia marina pollens and effect of air pollution on it, extracts of control and polluted area pollens were prepared in PBS (phosphate buffered saline) and were performed on Balb/c mice. As an experimental model, 40 female 6-8 week- old Balb/c mice were divided in four groups (n = 10). First and second groups (control groups) received PBS and Aluminum hydroxide (Alum) respectively. Third and forth groups treated by control area and polluted area pollen extracts plus Alum respectively. All injections were performed intraperitoneally for four times. Intradermal skin tests with pollen extracts of two regions, PBS and histamine acid phosphate (negative and positive controls ) were also done and wheal diameter were measured after 30 min. Eosinophil rate in blood smears and total serum IgE level were detected in mice of each group. Our results showed that exine surfaces of two regions were different. Allergic reactions (wheal diameter of intradermal skin tests, eosinophil rate in blood smears and total serum IgE level) in mice treated by pollen extracts of two regions were higher than control groups. Allergic reactions in mice treated by polluted area pollen extract were more than the mice treated by control area pollen extract but this increasing in total serum IgE level was significant. Therefore Avicennia marina pollens have allergenic properties and air pollution can increase allergenic properties of Avicennia marina pollens.