Anti-inflammatory activity and clinical efficacy of a 3-month levocetirizine therapy in mite-allergic children.

Author(s): Marcucci F, Sensi LG, Abate P, Allocca G, Ugolini E, Di Cara G, Incorvaia C

Affiliation(s): Department of Medical and Surgical Specialty and Public Health, Institute of Pediatrics, Perugia, Italy.

Publication date & source: 2011-02, Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets., 10(1):32-8.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

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 placebo treated 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.