Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) play important roles in allergic rhinitis (AR). Treatment with H1 antihistamines improves AR symptoms and in vitro reduces the levels of adhesion molecules. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in patients with AR to grass pollen and their response to different H1 antihistamines.
Material and methods: A total of 50 patients with grass pollen AR were clinically and biologically evaluated. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 serum levels were evaluated during pollen season before and after treatment with levocetirizine and desloratadine through the ELISA method.
Results: ICAM-1, VCAM-1, eosinophils, and total IgE were elevated in patients with AR, compared with healthy subjects. Both antihistamines improved specific symptoms of AR and increased patients' quality of life during pollen season after one month of treatment. H1 antihistamines reduced VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and total IgE after one-month treatment but not significantly. Patients with increased baseline values tend to remain with increased values after one-month AH1 treatment.
Conclusions: ICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels are higher in patients with grass pollen-induced AR than healthy controls during pollen exposure. Their serum levels tend to remain at high values during pollen season despite antihistaminic therapy.
Keywords: antihistamines; eosinophils; pollen allergy; soluble adhesion molecules.