[Effect of natural allergens exposure on serum concentration of soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 in patients with seasonal airway allergy].

UNLABELLED

Chronic inflammation is a feature of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Intercellular adhesion molecules, especially ICAM-1 and its soluble form sICAM-1 present in systemic liquids play an important role in allergic inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of natural pollen exposure to plants on serum sICAM-1 concentration in patients with different clinical expression of seasonal allergy and to determine the relation between concentrations of these molecules to clinical symptom score and nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study comprised 48 patients with isolated seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), 26 patients with seasonal asthma (SA) and 16 healthy volunteers. Serum s/CAM-1 concentration using an immunoenzymatic ELISA method and BHR to methacholine were measured twice, before grass season and during symptomatic period of SAR and SA. Clinical symptoms severity were evaluated by pointing method from patients diary cards.

RESULTS

The study revealed no differences in mean concentration of serum sLCAM-1 between patients with SAR and SA but significant increase of serum sICAM-1 level during natural allergen exposure in all patients was observed.

CONCLUSION

Serum concentration of sICAM-1 was not correlated to symptom score and BHR in both SAR and SA patients in and out of season.