Related Experiment Videos
Antihistamines and serum adhesion molecule levels.
M Branco-Ferreira1, M C dos Santos, M L Palma-Carlos
1Immunoallergology Unit-CHIUL, Hospital Santa Maria, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal.
Allergie Et Immunologie
|August 17, 2001
Summary
Loratadine therapy significantly reduced soluble VCAM-1 levels in allergic rhinitis patients. This antihistamine did not affect soluble ICAM-1 levels but improved clinical symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antihistamines can reduce adhesion molecule expression in allergic tissues.
- Soluble adhesion molecules like ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 are biomarkers in allergic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if loratadine therapy decreases serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) and VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1).
- To assess the impact of one month of loratadine 10 mg daily on these biomarkers in allergic rhinitis patients.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 40 patients with mild-to-moderate House Dust Mite (HDM) allergic rhinitis.
- Patients received either 10 mg loratadine daily or no antihistamine, alongside budesonide nasal spray and sodium cromoglycate.
- Serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were measured using an immunoenzymatic assay before and after the treatment period.
Main Results:
- Loratadine treatment led to a significant reduction in serum sVCAM-1 levels.
- Serum sICAM-1 levels showed a slight, non-significant increase.
- Control patients exhibited no significant changes in sICAM-1 or sVCAM-1 levels, while loratadine users reported improved clinical scores.
Conclusions:
- One month of daily loratadine (10 mg) effectively decreased sVCAM-1 levels in HDM-allergic rhinitis patients.
- Loratadine did not significantly alter sICAM-1 levels.
- The findings suggest a specific effect of loratadine on VCAM-1 in the context of allergic rhinitis.