title: Effects of azelastine on the level of serum interleukin-4 and soluble CD23 antigen in the treatment of nasal allergy.
abstract: Research findings and various published studies point to interleukin 4 (IL-4) and CD23 antigen as instrumental in allergic reactions of allergy patients because these two substances are part of the main triggering mechanisms in cells producing IgE antibodies. In this study it was investigated whether the control of IL-4 and CD23 levels result in a decrease of the severity of allergic reactions. It is well known that azelastine hydrochloride (AZ, CAS 79307-93-0) suppresses symptoms of nasal allergy. The antiallergic activity of this drug includes the suppression of IgE antibody production, antigen-antibody reactions, liberation of mediators and mediator antagonism. One report states that the cytokines IL-2, IL-3, and IL-4 were suppressed by AZ in cultured cells. There have been no reports regarding cytokines in clinical treatment using AZ. Therefore, the effects of AZ treatment on IL-4, soluble CD23, and RAST (radioallergosorbent test) levels in the sera of allergic rhinitis patients were studied. The results show that the levels of IL-4 and soluble CD23 were significantly reduced by the administration of AZ over a 4-week period, especially in patients with "excellent" or "good" efficacy of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya City University, Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000097:blood*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D004391:Dust; D010793:Phthalazines; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015847:Interleukin-4; C020976:azelastine