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ABSTRACT: Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in the use of probiotics for allergic diseases. In the last years, some studies showed a significant improvement for atopic eczema by the administration of probiotics during pregnancy and postnatally. About food allergy, probiotics administration seems to be effective in the management of food allergy symptoms but has no effect on the prevention of sensitization. In the international literature, there are few studies that evaluated the probiotic effect on allergic rhinitis, and authors reported that probiotics might have a beneficial effect in AR by reducing symptom severity and medication use. Another major potential benefit of probiotics has been suggested in patients with asthma. On this topic, several studies have been carried out using different probiotics and the results have not been univocal. Indeed, probiotics seems to be able to offer protection about common cold and respiratory infections in healthy and hospitalized children.
Journal of clinical gastroenterology 10/2012; 46 Suppl:S69-72. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by impaired immune response. Th9 cells are a sub-population of T cells that release interleukin (IL)-9. No study has investigated the role of IL-9 in AD. This study compared 64 children with AD with 45 healthy children. Serum IL-9 levels were measured and clinical symptoms were assessed. Children with AD had higher serum IL-9 levels than controls (p = 0.01). Clinical severity was significantly related to IL-9 level, indicating that IL-9 might exert a pathogenic role in symptom occurrence in individuals with AD. Children with AD may have higher serum IL-9 levels than healthy children, and IL-9 levels are significantly related to symptom severity.
Pediatric Dermatology 05/2012; · 1.07 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) is considered an important parameter for asthma diagnosis and follow-up. However, it has been proposed that forced expiratory flow at 25-75% (FEF(25-75)) could be more sensitive than FEV1 to detect slight airways obstruction. In this regard, a cutoff FEF(25-75) value has been recently established in a group of asthmatic children: FEF(25-75) < 65% of predicted has been considered impaired. However, the considered population was specifically selected. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to confirm an FEF(25-75) cutoff value in a large cohort of asthmatic children. Seven hundred allergic children (493 male subjects; median age, 11 years) with controlled and partly controlled asthma were evaluated by performing spirometry and skin-prick tests. Three hundred thirteen (44.7%) patients had FEF(25-75%) values of <65% of predicted. Two predictors were significantly associated with impaired FEF(25-75) values: (i) sensitization to perennial allergens (adjusted odds ratio [OR(Adj)], 3.4) and (ii) FEV(1) ≤ 86% of predicted (OR(Adj), 3.8). This study, conducted in real life, could suggest that FEF(25-75) value of <65% of predicted may be considered abnormal.
Allergy and Asthma Proceedings 01/2012; 33(1):e5-8. · 2.17 Impact Factor
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Journal of Asthma 09/2011; 48(9):886-7. · 1.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a very frequent disease which is not only characterized by nasal symptoms, but also with behavioural changes. This study evaluated the serum serotonin levels in patients with pollen-induced AR during and outside the pollen season.One-hundred-two (56 females, 46 males, median age: 28.7 years) were included in this study: 56 with seasonal AR (SAR) evaluated outside the pollen season and so without allergic inflammation and symptoms, and 46 with SAR evaluated during the pollen season with symptoms. Blood specimens were collected to assess serum concentrations of serotonin and to compare results to scores of a Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire which was performed in all subjects. Serotonin serum concentrations were higher in AR patients out of pollen season than in (p<0.01). There was a very strong direct relationship between QoL and serotonin concentrations.This preliminary study demonstrates that SAR influences serotonin concentrations and that serum serotonin could serve as a biomarker in AR patients with behavioural symptoms.
Iranian journal of allergy, asthma, and immunology 09/2011; 10(3):183-8. · 0.51 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Th9 is a new T cell subset characterized by interleukin 9 (IL-9) production. Serum IL-9 levels are related to symptom severity in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). This study aimed at investigating whether IL-9 may depend on allergen exposure.
35 AR patients (16 males, mean age 33.2 years) with monosensitization to Parietaria were studied when symptomatic; 38 AR patients (22 males, mean age 30.9 years) with monosensitization to birch were recruited at the same time, but were symptom free. Serum IL-9 was assayed in all patients.
Patients with Parietaria allergy and exposed to allergen had higher serum IL-9 levels than patients with birch allergy and not exposed to allergen (p<0.05).
This preliminary study shows that serum IL-9 levels may depend on allergen exposure: symptomatic patients with pollen-induced AR, evaluated during the pollen season, have higher values than patients studied outside the pollen season and without symptoms.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 01/2011; 154(3):246-8. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Skin prick test (SPT) and serum specific IgE (ssIgE) measurements are the most common methods used to diagnose allergy. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum specific-IgE in a large group of polysensitized patients with the same SPT result (such as ++++) comparing the two diagnostic methods.
Four hundred ninety-four children (310 males; median age 10 years) suffering from allergic rhinitis were studied. Serum specific-IgE values were measured by ImmunoCap assay. Skin prick test was also performed.
There was a significant difference (p < 0.0001) among serum specific-IgE values in these polysensitized patients.
The ss-IgE measurements in polysensitized patients seem to be more appropriate than SPT.
Clinical laboratory 01/2011; 57(1-2):83-5. · 0.90 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Neopterin is a protein produced by monocytes/macrophages. It has been considered a biomarker of immune activation in several disorders. However, there are few studies in allergic rhinitis (AR). This study evaluated the serum neopterin levels in patients with pollen-induced AR or treated with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and in healthy subjects.
146 subjects (70 males, median age 30.5 years): 56 with moderate-severe persistent AR, 40 with AR and successfully treated with 2 year SLIT, and 50 healthy controls were consecutively evaluated outside the pollen season. A skin prick test and blood sampling for assessing serum neopterin levels were performed in all subjects.
SLIT-treated patients had lower neopterin levels than untreated patients and healthy subjects (respectively p=0.012 and p=0.0001).
Neopterin is a biomarker for immune activation, SLIT may affect serum neopterin probably as a consequence of Treg response to SLIT.
International immunopharmacology 11/2010; 10(11):1474-6. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Adipokines may exert pro-inflammatory activities in allergic rhinitis. Resistin is a new adipokine. Only one study reported that resistin may be involved in allergic rhinitis. However, that study was conducted in children. Therefore, the present study aimed at confirming these findings also in adult patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (PER).
The study included 85 PER patients subjects 25 (11 males, mean age 35.4 years) with mild symptoms and 60 (27 males, mean age 36.8 years) with moderate-severe ones. All subjects were consecutively evaluated. A skin prick test and blood sampling for assessing serum resistin levels were performed in all subjects.
Patients with moderate-severe symptoms had higher resistin levels than mild ones (p=0.02).
This study provides the preliminary evidence that resistin serum levels depend on symptom severity also in adults with PER.
International immunopharmacology 03/2010; 10(3):371-2. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) has been widely investigated in the clinical practice as a potential biomarker for asthma. However, there are conflicting data concerning its validity in other respiratory disorders.
Serum ECP levels were retrospectively analyzed in 441 patients (227 males and 214 females) suffering from respiratory disease and visited for the first time, and in 33 healthy subjects (17 males and 16 females).
The mean of ECP was significantly higher (p = .0001) in patients compared with healthy volunteers. No correlation was found between serum ECP value and peripheral eosinophil absolute number (p = .881; r = .007). The predictive model was significant only for asthma, with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 74% (efficiency 73%).
This study demonstrates that serum ECP may be considered a marker for identifying only asthmatic patients with an efficiency of 73% and is not useful for the differentiation of other respiratory disorders.
Journal of Asthma 03/2010; 47(2):131-4. · 1.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A few studies have outlined a possible relationship between an increased body mass index and allergic rhinitis. A single study reported that males with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), evaluated outside the pollen season, had increased serum adiponectin levels.
The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the serum adiponectin levels in a cohort of SAR normo-weight patients evaluated during the pollen season, comparing them with SAR patients evaluated out of pollen season and a group of healthy controls.
The study included 137 subjects; 62 SAR patients evaluated in their pollen season, while symptomatic, 41 SAR patients studied out their pollen season, while they were without symptoms, and 34 normal subjects. All subjects were consecutively evaluated. All of them were normo-weight. A skin prick test and blood sampling for assessing serum adiponectin levels were performed in all subjects.
After analysing genders separately, symptomatic male patients had significantly higher levels than both symptomless and normal males (p=0.0041 and 0.0001 respectively), symptomatic female patients showed significantly higher levels than both symptomless and normal females (p=0.0001 and 0.0071 respectively).
This study provides the preliminary evidence that adiponectin serum levels might depend on allergen exposure in SAR normo-weight patients.
International immunopharmacology 02/2010; 10(5):635-8. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by inflammation sustained by dysregulated immune response. T-regulatory cells are involved in AR pathogenesis, mainly producing IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. Indeed, there is a functional and allergen-specific defect of T-regulatory cells in AR. However, there are no data about the influence of allergen exposure on TGF-beta serum levels. Therefore, the aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate TGF-beta serum levels in patients with seasonal AR. Patients were evaluated either outside the pollen season and after 1 preseasonal sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) course (38 subjects) or during the pollen season (57 subjects).
All patients were allergic to Parietaria and/or grasses alone. TGF-beta was measured by a commercially available kit. Symptoms, drug use and eosinophils were evaluated.Serum allergen-specific IgG and IgA levels were also measured by the ELISA method.
TGF-beta serum levels were significantly lower in patients evaluated outside the pollen season in comparison with the other 2 situations. SLIT induced the significantly highest TGF-beta serum levels. There was a significant negative relationship between TGF-beta and eosinophils in patients after SLIT. IgG and IgA levels were higher in SLIT-treated patients.
This preliminary study provides evidence that TGF-beta serum levels are significantly dependent on allergen exposure.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 11/2009; 152(1):66-70. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Several studies have outlined a possible relationship between adipokines and respiratory allergic diseases. However, there are no data about a role for adipsin in allergic rhinitis.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum adipsin levels in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), subdivided into two sub-groups: treated or not treated with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), and in a group of healthy controls.
The study included 110 subjects; i) 24 SLIT-treated SAR patients, ii) 62 untreated SAR patients, and iii) 24 normal subjects. All subjects were consecutively evaluated. A skin prick test and blood sampling for assessing serum adipsin levels were performed in all subjects.
Serum adipsin was increased in SAR patients, even though significant only in males. There was also a significant positive association between adipsin and adiponectin.
This preliminary study reports that adipsin serum levels may be increased in some SAR patients, but further functional studies should be performed.
International immunopharmacology 09/2009; 9(12):1460-3. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Two new T cell subsets may be involved in allergic rhinitis (AR) pathogenesis: Th17 and T regulatory cells, mainly producing IL-17 and TGF-beta respectively. Successful Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) induces relevant immunological changes, thus the aim of this study was to evaluate serum IL-17 and TGF-beta levels in AR patients treated with SLIT for 2 years. Patients' blood samples were collected before initiating SLIT (baseline), three months after the end of the first pre-seasonal SLIT course, and at the end of the second pre-seasonal course. IL-17 was detectable only in the most severe allergic patients. SLIT significantly induced an increase in serum TGF-beta levels. There was moreover a significant relationship between TGF-beta and symptom severity and drug use at the end of the study. Therefore, this study provides clinically relevant evidence that two pre-seasonal SLIT courses may significantly affect serum TGF-beta levels.
International immunopharmacology 08/2009; 9(10):1247-9. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Several studies have outlined a possible relationship between an increased body mass index (BMI) and respiratory allergic diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis. There are conflicting data about the role for leptin in allergic rhinitis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the serum leptin levels in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), enrolled during and outside the pollen season, and in a group of healthy controls. The study included 137 subjects; 62 symptomatic SAR patients evaluated in season, 41 symptomless SAR patients out season, and 34 normal subjects. All subjects were consecutively evaluated. A skin prick test and blood sampling for assessing serum leptin levels were performed in all subjects. After analysing genders separately, symptomatic male patients had significantly higher levels than symptomless and normal subjects (p = 0.0004 and 0.0031 respectively), symptomatic female patients showed significantly higher levels than normal females (p = 0.0002). This study provides the evidence that leptin serum levels depend on allergen exposure in SAR patients.
Immunological Investigations 01/2009; 38(8):681-9. · 1.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Several studies have outlined a possible relationship between an increased body mass index (BMI) and respiratory allergic diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum leptin levels in a cohort of patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, enrolled outside the pollen season, and in a group of healthy controls.
The study included 75 subjects: 41 patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis due to a pollen allergy and 34 normal subjects. All subjects were prospectively and consecutively evaluated. A skin prick test and blood sampling for assessing serum leptin levels, eosinophils, specific IgE, and nasal challenge were performed in all subjects.
After analyzing genders separately, female allergic patients showed significantly higher levels than normal females (p = 0.031), whereas the comparison between allergic and normal males was not significant (p = 0.9651). Leptin serum levels were significantly related with age in normal (p = 0.0059) and allergic (p = 0.0042) females. In addition, BMI and leptin levels were significantly correlated (p = 0.01) in all allergic patients; there were other significant relationships between leptin levels and symptom severity in females (p = 0063, r = 0.68), peripheral eosinophils in males (p = 0.023, r = 0.49), and allergen threshold dose at nasal challenge in both genders (males: p = 0.0001, r = -0.85; females: p = 0.0001, r = -0.95).
This preliminary study provides the first evidence of significantly higher leptin serum levels in female patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis outside the pollen season.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 11/2008; 148(3):211-8. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Several studies have outlined a possible relationship between an increased body mass index and respiratory allergic diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum adiponectin levels in a cohort of patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, enrolled outside the pollen season, and in a group of healthy controls.
The study included 41 patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis due to a pollen allergy and 34 normal subjects. All subjects were prospectively and consecutively evaluated. A skin prick test and blood sampling for assessing serum adiponectin levels were performed in all subjects.
The comparison between allergic patients and normal subjects, globally considered without gender distinction, showed slightly higher values in the allergic population. After analysing genders separately, allergic patients show significantly higher levels than normal males (p = 0.0134), whereas the comparison between allergic and normal females was not significant (p = 0.1419). In addition, in normal males adiponectin serum levels are significantly related with age (p = 0.0123).
This preliminary study provides the first evidence of significantly higher adiponectin serum levels in male patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis as compared to normal male subjects.
International Immunopharmacology 07/2008; 8(6):945-9. · 2.38 Impact Factor
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Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology: official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology 01/2007; 97(6):816-7. · 2.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been demonstrated to be able of inducing immunologic changes as evidenced by IL-10 production. Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the vital capacity (FEF(25-75)) may be considered a good marker of early bronchial involvement in patients with pure allergic rhinitis.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association of IL-10 production with FEF(25-75) values in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) successfully treated with SLIT.
19 patients with PAR were studied: 9 successfully assumed SLIT for 3 years, 10 were considered as control. In vitro IL-10 production was evaluated after SLIT. Spirometry and bronchodilation test were performed in all subjects at baseline and after 3 years.
After 3 years, FEF(25-75) values significantly (p=0.0131) increased in SLIT group (80.5+/-6.7), whereas they significantly (p=0.0021) decreased in non-treated patients (60.8+/-2.62). In addition, SLIT-induced increase of FEF(25-75) values is significantly associated with IL-10 production (p=0.0025).
This study provides the first evidence that SLIT is capable of improving early bronchial involvement in patients with pure allergic rhinitis and this functional effect may be associated with immunological changes, such as the induction of IL-10 production.
International Immunopharmacology 09/2006; 6(8):1370-3. · 2.38 Impact Factor
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Clinical Immunology - CLIN IMMUNOL. 01/2006; 119.
