title: Preventative effect of a flavonoid, enzymatically modified isoquercitrin on ocular symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Flavonoids are nutrients that exert anti-allergic effects. We investigated the preventative effect of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a flavonoid, to relieve the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 24 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis took 100mg EMIQ or a placebo for 8 weeks, starting 4 weeks prior to the onset of pollen release. Subjective symptoms, ADL scores and the usage of drugs were recorded daily, and the QOL score was obtained every 4 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after the study to measure serum levels of IgE and flavonoids.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the entire study period, ocular symptom + medication score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the placebo group. When limited to the period, ocular symptom scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5-6), and ocular congestion scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5-6) for the EMIQ group was significantly lower than that for the placebo group while other scores for the EMIQ group, such as ocular itching scores (p = 0.09, weeks 4-5), lacrimation scores (p = 0.07, weeks 5-6), and ocular congestion scores (p = 0.06, weeks 4-5), all tended to be lower. However no significant differences were found in nasal symptoms between the two groups. Serum concentrations of IgE were not significantly downregulated but the serum concentrations of quercetin and its derivatives were elevated significantly by the intake of EMIQ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intake of the quercetin glycoside EMIQ proved to be effective for the relief of ocular symptoms caused by Japanese cedar pollinosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Rheumatic Diseases, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.forename: Junsuke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arimitsu
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuwahara
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hagihara
authors.forename: Yoshihito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shima
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Narazaki
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogata
authors.forename: Mihoko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koyanagi
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kai
authors.forename: Ryosuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Masamitsu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moriwaki
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ogino
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kawase
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D032485:Cryptomeria / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011794:Quercetin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013666:Tears / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; C016527:isoquercitrin; D011794:Quercetin