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- Exploring the Basis of the Therapeutic Potential of Sulphurous Thermal Waters in Allergic Rhinitis: A Comprehensive Study in an ex-vivo 3D Model of Nasal Epithelial IntegrityPublication . Bonneau, Lucile; Barata, Luis Manuel Taborda; Cardoso, ElsaAllergic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the nasal mucosa that impairs epithelial integrity and significantly impacts quality of life. While conventional treatments alleviate symptoms, their limitations have spurred interest in complementary therapies such as the nebulization of sulphurous thermal waters, which are rich in H2S. Despite reported anti-inflammatory properties, the effects of sulphurous thermal waters in allergic rhinitis remain unclear. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of sulphurous thermal waters in an ex vivo three-dimensional nasal epithelial model (MucilAirTM) derived from patients with allergic rhinitis. The effects of sulphurous thermal water nebulization on epithelial barrier integrity and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion were analysed under acute and chronic inflammation induced by LPS and TNF-a. Key assessments included TEER, cytokine quantification (IL-8 and MCP-1), and histological evaluation. The results demonstrated that neither sulphurous thermal waters nor isotonic saline solution nebulization, nor H2S supplementation, produced significant anti-inflammatory effects. TEER analysis indicated that epithelial integrity was compromised by inflammation, with no improvement from treatments. Levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 increased with inflammation but were not reduced by sulphurous thermal waters, saline solution, or H2S treatment. Histological evaluation further confirmed that sulphurous thermal waters offered no additional benefit compared to saline in reducing mucus production or goblet cell hyperplasia. These findings highlight the need for future studies to explore thermal waters with higher H2S concentrations (<0.1 mg/L in this study), alternative inflammatory triggers, and more complex models incorporating immune cells to better replicate the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis.