SERUM LEVELS OF SPECIFIC IGE, SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR, AND SOLUBLE INTERCELLULAR-ADHESION MOLECULE-1 IN SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Background: There is increasing evidence that soluble interleukin-2 re ceptor (sIL-2R) might reflect T cell activation in vivo and soluble in tercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) might reflect the ongoing in flammatory response in the inflamed site. Objective: The aim of this s tudy was to determine the effect of antihistamine tablets and allergen -specific immunotherapy on the seasonal changes in specific IgE, sIL-2 R, and sICAM-1 in the serum of patients with seasonal allergic rhiniti s. Methods: This prospective study included 99 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollens and 27 nonatopic healt hy volunteers. The patients were divided into an antihistamine-treated group and an immunotherapy group. Serum samples were collected before and during the pollen season from each patient to determine specific IgE, sIL-2R, and sICAM-1. Results: Levels of sIL-2R before the pollen season did not differ significantly among the nonatopic group, the ant ihistamine-treated group, and the immuno-therapy group. The levels of sICAM-1 before the pollen season were significantly higher in the anti histamine-treated group and in the immunotherapy group than in the non atopic group. Seasonal increase in specific IgE was significant in the antihistamine-treated group regardless of their clinical outcomes. In contrast, significant increase in specific IgE was observed during th e pollen season in poor responders but not in good responders to immun otherapy. Serum levels of sIL-2R and sICAM-1 were significantly increa sed during the pollen season in poor responders of the antihistamine-t reated group and the immunotherapy group. On the other hand, neither s easonal increase in sIL-2R nor sICAM-1 was significant in good respond ers of the antihistamine-treated group and the immunotherapy group. Co nclusions: Serum levels of sICAM-1 are higher in patients with seasona l allergic rhinitis, even outside of the pollen season when the allerg en does not naturally exist. Seasonal changes in serum sICAM-1 as well as sIL-2R and specific IgE are probably objective markers to indicate the clinical efficacy of antihistamines and immunotherapy on seasonal allergic rhinitis.