Vitamin E effects on nasal symptoms and serum specific IgE levels in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Studies have shown that vitamin E intake may reduce IgE production.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on the severity of nasal symptoms and the serum levels of specific IgE in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
Sixty-three patients (mean +/- SD age, 12 +/- 2.4 years) with a history of perennial allergic rhinitis participated in this study. None of the patients had evidence of acute infectious disease or used tobacco, corticosteroids, antihistamines, or vitamins. Patients were randomized to receive either vitamin E (400 IU/d) or placebo for 4 weeks, with loratadine-pseudoephedrine (0.2/0.5 mg/kg) during the first 2 weeks of treatment. The severity of nasal symptoms was evaluated using a validated questionnaire, which was administered weekly for 4 weeks. The serum concentrations of specific IgE to 5 common inhalant allergens and lipid peroxides were measured before treatment and at the end of the study.


RESULTS
Before, during, and after treatment, the symptom severity scores were similar in the 2 groups; within each group, a significant decrease was observed after the first week of follow-up (P < .05), with no further changes. Serum levels of specific IgE and lipid peroxides did not show any significant changes related to vitamin E intake within and between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, vitamin E supplementation (400 IU/d) did not have any significant effects on nasal symptom severity or on serum concentrations of specific IgE to 5 common allergens.
Montaño Velázquez
Bertha Beatriz
BB
Unidad de Investigación Médica, Hospital General, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, México, Distrito Federal.
Jáuregui-Renaud
Kathrine
K
Bañuelos Arias
Alejandra del Carmen
Adel C
Ayala
Julio Cesar
JC
Martínez
Maria Dolores Mogica
MD
Campillo Navarrete
Ramón
R
Rosalia
Isabel Silvia Vera
IS
Salazar
María del Refugio Cisneros
Mdel R
Serrano
Horacio Alfonso Castilla
HA
Mondragón
Alicia Ocaña
AO
Perez
Rosendo Luria
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood; D017336:Loratadine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012912:Sneezing / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000485:Allergens; D000975:Antioxidants; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D014810:Vitamin E; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D017336:Loratadine; D004809:Ephedrine