title: Vitamin E effects on nasal symptoms and serum specific IgE levels in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Médica, Hospital General, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, México, Distrito Federal.
authors.forename: Bertha Beatriz
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Montaño Velázquez
authors.forename: Kathrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jáuregui-Renaud
authors.forename: Alejandra del Carmen
authors.initials: Adel C
authors.lastname: Bañuelos Arias
authors.forename: Julio Cesar
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.forename: Maria Dolores Mogica
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Campillo Navarrete
authors.forename: Isabel Silvia Vera
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Rosalia
authors.forename: María del Refugio Cisneros
authors.initials: Mdel R
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: Horacio Alfonso Castilla
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Alicia Ocaña
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Mondragón
authors.forename: Rosendo Luria
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Perez
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000975:Antioxidants; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D014810:Vitamin E; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D017336:Loratadine; D004809:Ephedrine