AZELASTINE DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT AEROBIC PERFORMANCE

Background. The effect of the treatment of allergic rhinitis with azel astine on physiological indicators of aerobic performance such as (V) over dotO(2)max and ventilatory threshold (VT) were evaluated. The cli nical efficacy of azelastine was also established. Methods. Experiment al design: fifteen physically active males with allergic rhinitis or r hinoconjunctivitis were selected as subjects (experimental group, EXP) . Fifteen physically active, healthy subjects served as controls. Subj ects performed a maximal incremental exercise test on a bicycle ergome ter (ramp protocol) before and after a 5-day treatment period, During the 5 days, EXP group subjects were treated with azelastine (intranasa l dose of 0.56 mg/day). The following variables were recorded before a nd after treatment: power output (VV), HR (beats.min(-1)), (V) over do tO(2) (ml.kg(-1).min(-1)), minute ventilation ((V) over dotE, in 1.min (-1)), and oxygen pulse ((V) over dotO(2).HR-1, in ml.beat -1). Blood lactate concentrations (mmol l(-1)) were also determined using capilla ry blood samples (25 pi). Results. No significant difference was found between pre- and post-trial variables in control subjects. However, p eak HR values were lower in EXP subjects after treatment with azelasti ne (190+/-6 beats.min(-1) pre-treatment vs 186+/-56 beats min-l post-t reatment; p<0.05). In addition,(V) over dotE values at the exercise in tensity corresponding to VT were higher in EXP after treatment (54.7+/ -12.8 l.min(-1) pre-treatment vs 60.2+/-14.6 l.min(-1) post-treatment, p<0.05). Conclusions. These findings suggest that the intranasal admi nistration of azelastine used for the treatment of allergic symptoms o f the upper respiratory tract in physically active subjects, does not seem to adversely affect maximal aerobic capacity or submaximal aerobi c performance.