title: Carbon dioxide-enriched water inhalation in patients with allergic rhinitis and its relationship with nasal fluid cytokine/chemokine release.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Allergic rhinitis is characterized by eosinophil infiltration and accumulation in the nasal mucosa mainly due to IL-3, IL-5, and eotaxin activities. We undertook this study to investigate a possible in vivo effect of carbon dioxide-enriched water inhalation in patients with allergic rhinitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty five consecutive patients inhaled carbon dioxide-enriched water at Fonti di Rabbi Spa Centre (Trento, Italy). Symptom scores for nasal obstruction, itching and sneezing were obtained before and after treatment. Nasal lavage was collected, and IL-3, IL-5, and eotaxin levels were assessed using the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. Cytometric analysis was performed on samples to measure total cell count, CD45+ cells, and percentages of polymorphonucleates and lymphocytes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were statistically significant differences in chemokine levels and in cell populations between patients and healthy controls before treatment. After carbon dioxide-enriched water inhalation, we observed statistically significant improvements in symptom scores, chemokine levels, and percentages of cell populations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results seem to confirm the role of IL-3, IL-5, and eotaxin in the pathophysiology of allergy and the beneficial effect of carbon dioxide-enriched water inhalation in patients affected by allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Surgical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Italy. davide.pagani@alice.it
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galliera
authors.forename: Giada
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dogliotti
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Bernardi di Valserra
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torretta
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Solimene
authors.forename: Massimiliano M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Corsi
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pignataro
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054413:Chemokine CCL11 / Q000276:immunology; D018925:Chemokines / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000276:immunology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: C515456:CCL11 protein, human; D054413:Chemokine CCL11; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D007377:Interleukin-3; D015848:Interleukin-5; D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide