Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis
Published on: December 20, 2024
Enzyme potentiated desensitisation in treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: double blind randomised controlled
Michael J Radcliffe1, George T Lewith, Richard G Turner
1School of Medicine, Infection Inflammation and Repair Research Division, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD. michael@radcliffe.net
Objective:
To assess the efficacy of enzyme potentiated desensitisation in the treatment of severe summer hay fever poorly controlled by pharmacotherapy.
Design:
Double blind randomised placebo controlled parallel group study.
Setting:
Hospital in Hampshire.
Participants:
183 participants aged between 18 and 64 with a history of severe summer hay fever for at least two years; all were skin prick test positive to timothy grass pollen. 90 randomised to active treatment; 93 randomised to placebo.
Interventions:
Active treatment: two injections of enzyme potentiated desensitisation, given between eight and 11 weeks apart, each comprising 200 Fishman units of beta glucuronidase, 50 pg 1,3-cyclohexanediol, 50 ng protamine sulphate, and a mixed inhaled allergen extract (pollen mixes for trees, grasses, and weeds; allergenic fungal spores; cat and dog danders; dust and storage mites) in a total volume of 0.05 ml of buffered saline. Placebo: two injections of 0.05 ml buffered saline solution.
Main Outcome Measures:
Proportion of problem-free days; global rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life scores assessed weekly during pollen season.
Results:
The active treatment group and the placebo group did not differ in the proportion of problem-free days, quality of life scores, symptom severity scores, change in quantitative skin prick provocation threshold, or change in conjunctival provocation threshold. No clinically significant adverse reactions occurred.
Conclusions:
Enzyme potentiated desensitisation showed no treatment effect in this study.
Related Concept Videos
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis
Several...
Dose-Response Relationship: Potency and Efficacy
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants
Most decongestants are readily available over-the-counter in various...
Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...
