Loratadine treatment of rhinitis due to pollen allergy reduces epithelial ICAM-1 expression.
BACKGROUND
Loratadine and cetirizine are new generation antihistamines, which are clinically effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate antiallergic activity of loratadine compared with cetirizine, over a 2 week period under natural allergen exposure, in a double-blind parallel groups, randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Twenty patients, sensitized to grass and/or Parietaria pollen, were subdivided into two groups, one receiving loratadine the other cetirizine respectively. Both were dosed at 10 mg/day. Evaluated parameters were: clinical symptoms, nasal inflammatory cell (such as neutrophil, eosinophil and metachromatic cells) counts, ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells, and nasal mediators (e.g. histamine, ECP, EPO and MPO).


RESULTS
Loratadine and cetirizine significantly improved symptoms (P < 0.002), significantly reduced eosinophil (P < 0.016) and metachromatic cell (P < 0.01) infiltration, levels of ECP (P < 0.002), EPO (P < 0.006) and histamine (P < 0.01) and ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells (P < 0.02). No difference was demonstrated between the two drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
The antiallergic activity of loratadine and cetirizine is documented by their actions on the inflammatory and clinical parameters, especially ICAM-1 modulation.
Ciprandi
G
G
Department of Internal Medicine, Genoa University, Italy.
Pronzato
C
C
Ricca
V
V
Passalacqua
G
G
Danzig
M
M
Canonica
G W
GW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D047209:Eosinophil Peroxidase; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D017336:Loratadine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012260:Ribonucleases; D012621:Seasons
D001798:Blood Proteins; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D017336:Loratadine; D006632:Histamine; D047209:Eosinophil Peroxidase; D010544:Peroxidases; D009195:Peroxidase; D012260:Ribonucleases; D017332:Cetirizine