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Mediator release is altered in immunotherapy-treated patients: a 4-year study
D Dokic1, A Nethe, J Kleine-Tebbe
1Department of Clinical Immunology and Asthma, Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow, Berlin, Germany.
Allergy
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Immunotherapy significantly reduced nasal mediator release in allergic rhinitis patients. This decrease in histamine, kinins, and TAME-esterase activity correlated with symptom improvement and increased IgG levels.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Mediator release into nasal secretions occurs after nasal allergen challenge in allergic rhinitis.
- The effect of immunotherapy on this mediator release is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether immunotherapy alters mediator release following nasal allergen challenge in grass-pollen-allergic rhinitis patients.
- To assess the correlation between mediator release, clinical symptoms, and immunological markers.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen grass-pollen-allergic patients underwent controlled nasal allergen challenges.
- Ten patients received 4 years of grass-pollen immunotherapy; seven served as controls.
- Mediators (histamine, kinins, TAME-esterase activity) and clinical symptoms were measured before and after immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Immunotherapy led to a significant decline in maximal mediator release after one year, which was sustained after four years.
- A significant decrease in TAME-esterase activity, kinins, and histamine was observed post-immunotherapy.
- Decreased mediator release paralleled reduced symptom scores and skin prick test reactivity, with a correlation to increased specific IgG.
Conclusions:
- Four years of grass-pollen immunotherapy effectively reduces nasal mediator release in allergic rhinitis.
- Immunotherapy's efficacy is supported by decreased mediator release, symptom reduction, and specific IgG increase.