Effects of Combined Visible and Infrared Light Rhinophototherapy in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Otolaryngology
• Photomedicine

Background:

• Allergic rhinitis is a common condition often treated with intranasal corticosteroids and oral antihistamines.
• Intranasal phototherapy presents a viable alternative for patients with allergic rhinitis who do not respond well to conventional treatments.
• Various light wavelengths have been explored for their therapeutic potential in allergic rhinitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical efficacy of visible light-infrared light phototherapy in allergic rhinitis patients.
• To investigate the cytologic alterations in nasal lavage specimens following intranasal phototherapy.

Main Methods:

• A 4-week course of intranasal phototherapy was administered to patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis.
• Clinical symptom severity was monitored weekly using standardized questionnaires.
• Nasal lavage samples were collected pre- and post-treatment for fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of specific immune cell populations.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in CD45+CD16highCD24+ neutrophils was observed in nasal lavages.
• A significant increase in CD45+CD16dim/-CD24+ eosinophils was noted, while overall CD45+ granulocyte counts remained stable.
• Statistically significant reductions in key allergic rhinitis symptoms, including nasal itching, discharge, obstruction, sneezing, and eye, throat, and ear itching, were reported by the end of the 4-week treatment period.

Conclusions:

• A 4-week regimen of visible and infrared light intranasal phototherapy demonstrates significant clinical benefits for patients suffering from allergic rhinitis.
• The study highlights intranasal phototherapy as a promising treatment option for allergic rhinitis, potentially modulating immune cell profiles in the nasal mucosa.