title: Sublingual immunotherapy induces spirometric improvement associated with IL-10 production: preliminary reports.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been demonstrated to be able of inducing immunologic changes as evidenced by IL-10 production. Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the vital capacity (FEF(25-75)) may be considered a good marker of early bronchial involvement in patients with pure allergic rhinitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association of IL-10 production with FEF(25-75) values in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) successfully treated with SLIT.
  
  
  METHODS
  19 patients with PAR were studied: 9 successfully assumed SLIT for 3 years, 10 were considered as control. In vitro IL-10 production was evaluated after SLIT. Spirometry and bronchodilation test were performed in all subjects at baseline and after 3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 3 years, FEF(25-75) values significantly (p=0.0131) increased in SLIT group (80.5+/-6.7), whereas they significantly (p=0.0021) decreased in non-treated patients (60.8+/-2.62). In addition, SLIT-induced increase of FEF(25-75) values is significantly associated with IL-10 production (p=0.0025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides the first evidence that SLIT is capable of improving early bronchial involvement in patients with pure allergic rhinitis and this functional effect may be associated with immunological changes, such as the induction of IL-10 production.
authors.affiliation: Azienda Ospedaleria Universitaria San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cirillo
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fenoglio
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marseglia
authors.forename: Maria Angela
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tosca
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D040001:Dermatophagoides farinae / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D016753:Interleukin-10