Abstract | BACKGROUND: Glucocorticosteroids are effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, a disease characterized by a variety of symptoms, e.g. rhinorrhea and itching. The time course of symptomatic relief for allergic rhinitis by steroids has not been examined in detail to date, although the onset of steroid action is one of the main discriminations between genomic and nongenomic actions of steroids. We therefore investigated the time course of subjective and objective measures of nasal affection after steroid administration in patients with allergic rhinitis following specific allergen challenge. METHODS: Six female and 18 male volunteers (median age 26 years) with a history of allergic rhinitis but currently free of symptoms were included in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-period crossover study. A single dose of either betamethasone (60 mg), methylprednisolone (400 mg) or placebo was given intravenously, 5 min after intranasal allergen provocation. After 10, 20, 60, 150 and 240 min, nasal itching and nasal obstruction were assessed using a standardized visual analogue scale. In addition, nasal airflow was measured by anterior rhinomanometry. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: This study for the first time shows rapid in vivo effects of external glucocorticosteroids in humans. Itching, a pathophysiologically complex sensation, is favourably influenced by steroids within 10 min, therefore presumably via nongenomic mechanisms. Though no detailed mechanisms can be derived from this study, steroid interaction with receptors in the central nervous system may play an important role in mediating this effect.
|
Authors | H-C Tillmann, B A Stuck, M Feuring, K Rossol-Haseroth, B M Tran, R Lösel, B M Schmidt, K Hörmann, M Wehling, A Schultz |
Journal | European journal of clinical investigation
(Eur J Clin Invest)
Vol. 34
Issue 1
Pg. 67-73
(Jan 2004)
ISSN: 0014-2972 [Print] England |
PMID | 14984440
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Chemical References |
- Allergens
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- Glucocorticoids
- Betamethasone
- Methylprednisolone
|
Topics |
- Allergens
(immunology)
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Betamethasone
(therapeutic use)
- Bronchial Provocation Tests
(methods)
- Cross-Over Studies
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Glucocorticoids
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Male
- Methylprednisolone
(therapeutic use)
- Nasal Obstruction
(drug therapy)
- Nose
(drug effects)
- Pruritus
(drug therapy)
- Pulmonary Ventilation
(drug effects)
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
(drug therapy, immunology)
- Rhinomanometry
(methods)
|