Terfenadine exerts antiallergic activity reducing ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells in patients with pollen allergy.
BACKGROUND
Rhinoconjunctivitis caused by pollen allergy is characterized by typical signs and symptoms and mucosal infiltration by inflammatory cells during the pollen season. It has recently been demonstrated that the adhesion molecule system is deeply involved in cell-to-cell interaction during the inflammatory response which follows allergic reactions.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study (placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized) was the evaluation of the antiallergic activity of Terfenadine in the model of the allergic rhinitis due to natural pollen exposure.


METHODS
Two groups of patients with pollen allergy were enrolled in this study. Ten patients were treated with Terfenadine (120 mg/die) for 7 days and 10 with placebo. Evaluation criteria were: (a) clinical: signs and symptoms (recorded daily in a diary card by patients); (b) cytological: inflammatory cell count (neutrophils, eosinophils, metachromatic cells) from nasal lavage at T0 and T7; (c) immunocytochemical: ICAM-1/CD54 expression on nasal epithelial cells at T0 and T7; and (d) mediators dosage (ECP-MPO) on nasal lavage at T0 and T7.


RESULTS
As opposed to the placebo group, patients treated with Terfenadine showed a significant improvement of both symptoms (P < 0.022) and signs P < 0.001), a significant reduction of inflammatory cells infiltrate (P < 0.005), of ECP levels (P < 0.002) and ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells (P < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, these data demonstrate that Terfenadine exerts antiallergic activity since it is able to reduce inflammatory cell infiltrate and downregulates ICAM-1 expression.
Ciprandi
G
G
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.
Pronzato
C
C
Ricca
V
V
Varese
P
P
Del Giacco
G S
GS
Canonica
G W
GW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010919:Placebos; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016593:Terfenadine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D010919:Placebos; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D016593:Terfenadine