The non-sedating third generation antihistamine levocetirizine has ample evidence of efficacy in allergic rhinitis. In vitro studies suggested that levocetirizine has anti-inflammatory properties not simply related to the antihistamine activity but also to regulation of eosinophils. We performed a double-blind placebo-controlled study in 40 children allergic to house dust mites with persistent rhinitis with the primary aim to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of levocetirizine measuring eosinophil-related parameters and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO). After one month of treatment, a significant improvement in nasal symptom-medication scores was observed in actively but not in placebo treated patients. After 3 months of treatment, a significant effect was detected on eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in nasal mucosa and on nasal eNO in active treated patients. This suggests that during treatment of mite-allergic children with levocetirizine the early improvement in nasal symptoms is due to the antihistamine activity, while more time is needed to achieve an effect on allergic inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory activity and clinical efficacy of a 3-month levocetirizinetherapy in mite-allergic children.

DI CARA, GIUSEPPE;
2011

Abstract

The non-sedating third generation antihistamine levocetirizine has ample evidence of efficacy in allergic rhinitis. In vitro studies suggested that levocetirizine has anti-inflammatory properties not simply related to the antihistamine activity but also to regulation of eosinophils. We performed a double-blind placebo-controlled study in 40 children allergic to house dust mites with persistent rhinitis with the primary aim to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of levocetirizine measuring eosinophil-related parameters and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO). After one month of treatment, a significant improvement in nasal symptom-medication scores was observed in actively but not in placebo treated patients. After 3 months of treatment, a significant effect was detected on eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in nasal mucosa and on nasal eNO in active treated patients. This suggests that during treatment of mite-allergic children with levocetirizine the early improvement in nasal symptoms is due to the antihistamine activity, while more time is needed to achieve an effect on allergic inflammation.
2011
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11391/545098
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