Cellular adhesion molecules in chronic urticaria: modulation of serum levels occurs during levocetirizine treatment.

BACKGROUND

Some antihistamines are capable of reducing levels of adhesion molecules in wealing tissues of patients with chronic urticaria (CU).

OBJECTIVES

To determine if 6 weeks of therapy with levocetirizine 5 mg once daily would also induce any decrease in serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) or P-selectin in subjects with CU and chronic autoimmune urticaria.

METHODS

Thirty-six patients with CU (18 with positive and 18 with negative autologous serum skin test) were studied, together with 10 control healthy subjects. All patients received levocetirizine 5 mg daily. Serum soluble cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) levels were determined by immunoenzymatic assay before and after the end of the study period. Disease activity was recorded according to the EAACI/GA(2)LEN/EDF scoring system.

RESULTS

After levocetirizine therapy CAM levels decreased in patients with CU, significantly in the cases of ELAM-1 and P-selectin. Patients' clinical scores improved during regular antihistamine therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Levocetirizine 5 mg daily demonstrated a broad anti-inflammatory effect in patients with CU. The significant decrease in serum levels of ELAM-1 and P-selectin might reflect the inhibitory activity on neutrophil rolling and extravasation towards inflamed skin.