Phototherapy for allergic rhinitis: a prospective, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract: Phototherapy has a profound immunosuppressive effect, and phototherapeutic methods using both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light are therefore widely used for the therapy of various inflammatory skin diseases. It is also proposed that phototherapy, using a combination of UV-A (25%), UV-B (5%) and visible light (70%), may represent a therapeutic alternative in patients with allergic rhinitis. Seventy nine patients were randomly assigned to receive either a combination of UV-A (25%), UV-B (5%) and visible light (70%), in the phototherapy group, or low-intensity visible light, in the control group. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by means of total nasal symptom score before treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment. Total nasal scores decreased in both groups but the decrease was highly significant in the active treatment group when compared with the placebo (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that phototherapy may be an effective modality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis especially in cases of which commonly used drugs either are contraindicated and/or have insufficient efficacy

The effects of spirulina on allergic rhinitis

Abstract The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is increasing globally due to various causes. It affects the quality life of a large group of people in all around the world. Allergic rhinitis still remains inadequately controlled with present medical means. The need of continuous medical therapy makes individuals anxious about the side effects of the drugs. So there is a need for an alternative strategy. Effects of spirulina, tinospora cordifolia and butterbur were investigated recently on allergic rhinitis in just very few investigations. Spirulina represents a blue-green alga that is produced and commercialized as a dietary supplement for modulating immune functions, as well as ameliorating a variety of diseases. This double blind, placebo controlled study, evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of spirulina for treating patients with allergic rhinitis. Spirulina consumption significantly improved the symptoms and physical findings compared with placebo (P \ 0.001***) including nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal congestion and itching. Spirulina is clinically effective on allergic rhinitis when compared with placebo. Further studies should be performed in order to clarify the mechanism of this effect

Phototherapy for allergic rhinitis: a prospective, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study

Background: Phototherapy has a profound immunosuppressive effect, and phototherapeutic methods using both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light are therefore widely used for the therapy of various inflammatory skin diseases. It is also proposed that phototherapy, using a combination of UV-A (25%), UV-B (5%) and visible light (70%), may represent a therapeutic alternative in patients with allergic rhinitis. Method: Seventy-nine patients were randomly assigned to receive either a combination of UV-A (25%), UV-B (5%) and visible light (70%), in the phototherapy group, or low-intensity visible light, in the control group. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by means of total nasal symptom score before treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment. Results: Total nasal scores decreased in both groups but the decrease was highly significant in the active treatment group when compared with the placebo (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that phototherapy may be an effective modality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis especially in cases of which commonly used drugs either are contraindicated and/or have insufficient efficacy

Seawater gel in allergic rhinitis: entrapment effect and mucociliary clearance compared with saline

Objective: We performed a prospective study to investigate the the efficacy of seawater gel in reducing symptoms in patients with mild allergic rhinitis. We also aimed to investigate the impact of nasal irrigation on mucociliary clearance with seawater gel compared with saline in this patient group. Methods: The study was performed in 100 consecutive adult individuals with a history of allergic rhinitis that was not controlled by anti-allergic drugs. Patients were assigned to receive seawater gel nasal spray for 10 days. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by means of total nasal symptom score and clinical findings. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between scores of ‘nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, sneezing, nasal itching’before and after treatment ( p < 0.001). Clinical findings evaluation revealed a statistically significant decrease in lower turbinate colour rating and turbinate congestion at the end of treatment ( p < 0.001). Saccharin transit time decreased from baseline in the seawater trials by 12% compared with a 4% decrease for saline. The difference between the percent changes was statistically significant ( t = 2.177; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study provides evidence that a four times daily regimen of seawater gel can be an adjunctive therapy in the patient with allergic rhinitis

Effect of grapefruit juice on bioavailability of montelukast

WOS: 000316812400003PubMed ID: 22951980Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate possible interactions between grapefruit juice and montelukast for up to 4 hours. Study Design: A prospective, crossover study with 23 healthy volunteers was performed in two sessions. Methods: In the first session, volunteers were treated with oral montelukast 10 mg once daily with 250 ml water. After a 10-day washout period, the same volunteers were treated with 10 mg montelukast with 250 ml grapefruit juice. Blood samples were collected 2, 3, and 4 hours after drug administration and kept at 80 degrees C after both applications. Plasma samples were analyzed for montelukast concentration. Results: The mean plasma concentration of montelukast across all time intervals was significantly greater (P = 0.0001) for those given grapefruit juice (517, 484, and 440) versus those treated with water (366, 356, and 292). Moreover, with respect to the time the sample was collected, there was no significant difference (P = 0.13) in the mean total plasma concentration up to 4 hours after montelukast ingestion for either group. There was a significant difference between the groups according to the area under curve with regard to marginal and cumulative values for all different time intervals (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Plasma concentration of montelukast was higher when administered with grapefruit juice, as compared to with water. This may have been due to the effect of grapefruit on liver metabolism of montelukast and the cytochrome P450 system

Does Desloratadine Alter the Serum Levels of Montelukast When Administered in a Fixed-Dose Combination?

WOS: 000326231200017PubMed ID: 23918211Objectives/HypothesisThe aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of montelukast when administered alone or in combination with desloratadine. Study DesignA prospective crossover study. MethodsTwenty-three healthy volunteers were investigated in two sessions. Volunteers were given 10 mg of montelukast orally with 250 mL water in the first session. The same subjects were given 10 mg of montelukast in fixed combination with 5 mg desloratadine 10 days after first session. Blood samples were collected 2, 3, and 4 hours after drug administration, and kept at -80 degrees C after both applications. Plasma samples were analyzed for montelukast concentration. ResultsMean concentration values of both groups were not statistically different (P>.05), but the differences were statistically significant according to time (P.05). ConclusionsThe absorption rate of montelukast was not altered when administered with desloratadine. This study suggested that desloratadine does not influence the bioavailability of montelukast, and their combination therapy can be used safely