Anti-inflammatory activity and clinical efficacy of a 3-month levocetirizine therapy in mite-allergic children
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 placebotreated 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. Keywords: Antihistamines, levocetirizine, allergic rhinitis, inflammation, exhaled nitric oxide, eosinophilic cationic protein, cell adhesion, cytokine production, allergic inflammation, Levocetirizine dihydrochloride, enantiomer, paediatric populations, dextro-cetirizine, eotaxin, adenosine monophosphate, growth factors, placebo-controlled, allergen specific nasal challenge (ASNC), skin…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 40 participants or records.
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