Assessment of serum interleukine-4, and interleukine-8 in allergic bronchial asthma and the effect of third generation antihistamines

Abstract EN

To evaluate the role of some cytokines, and the effect of the third generation antihistamines in treatment of allergic asthma, we studied 60 patients (41 of them had associated allergic rhinitis) aged 27.13±1.27 years old.

(27 males and 33 females) received fexofenadine hydrochloride 240 mg/day for two months.

Our patients underwent clinical history and examination, chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests.

Skin prick-tests using 14 common allergens were done.

We estimated eosinophilic % and count, total serum immunoglobuline E (IgE), serum interleukin~4 (IL-4) and, interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels.

Before treatment, there were significant higher values of eosinophilic % and count, total serum IgE, serum IL-4 and, IL-8 levels specially in severe cases and those sensitive to more allergens.

After fexofenadine, there was significant clinical improvement of asthma and rhinitis (91.7%), reduction of the skin reactivity, and improvement in pulmonary function parameters.

We recorded significant reduction in eosinophilic % and count, total serum IgE, serum IL-4 and IL-8 levels specially in severe cases and those sensitive to more allergens.

Interleukin-4 levels were positively correlated to the levels of IgE.

We concluded that: The exposure to inhalant allergens plays important role in increasing asthma exacerbations.

Fexofenadine can block the release and action of other key mediators that have impact on the initiation and progression of the inflammatory process of allergic diseases.

They may have place in management of intermittent asthma, mild and moderate cases especially when associated with allergic rhinitis, because they have safer profile of action.

They are considered as anti-inflammatory agents through their action on different levels of the inflammatory cascade.

Moreover, they may involve a number of immunologic changes that can be partly responsible for the success or relief of allergic symptoms.

Moreover, IL-8 is an important mediator in the inflammatory process in asthmatics.