Antiallergic drugs and the immune response

Abstract

Re V. MSince the pharmacological treatment of allergic diseases is used in patients with alteration of the immune response due to atopy and possible concomitant infections, we have investigated the possible effects of such drugs as cromolyn, theophylline, ketotifen, oxatomide, astemizole, fenoterol, pirenzepine, and rosaprostol on the in vitro immune response, in order to obtain experimental data and, as a consequence, clinical conclusions. In a series of investigations by our group and other authors the following immunological parameters have been considered: T cell activation induced by different pathways (i.e. autologous stimulation, PHA, anti-CD3, -CD2 and -CD28 monoclonal antibodies), and lymphokine production (i.e. IL-1, IL-2 and gamma-IFN). For a more detailed experimental model the experiments have been performed both in bulk culture and by using T cell clones derived from the peripheral blood. The results show cromolyn to have an enhancing effect, theophylline and ketotifen a suppressing effect, whereas the remainder show no effect on the immune response. These data are considered and discussed from the aspect of their possible clinical relevance and also in light of the in vivo data previously reported.

Varying Allergen Composition and Content Affects the in vivo Allergenic Activity of Commercial <b><i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i></b> Extracts

“…Histamine dihydrochloride (10 mg ml –1 ) served as positive control and a glycerol-saline solution as negative control. SPT procedures were performed according to the published practice guidelines [6,7] on the volar aspect of the patient’s forearms, 3 cm apart. Wheal sizes were marked with a pen after 15 min and transferred to a record sheet with an adhesive tape.…”

“…SPT responses were evaluated as the mean wheal area calculated by computer scanning (Autocad 2008, Autodesk, Pratteln, Switzerland) as previously described [29]. Only wheals of an area of at least 7 mm 2 were considered as positive [6]. …”

“…Skin-prick testing (SPT) with allergen extracts represents one of the most common methods of diagnosing allergy and has been used since the 19th century [6,7,8]. Early attempts for a quality control of allergen extracts were based on the measurement of total protein content defining protein nitrogen units (PNU) [9].…”

Plant Food Allergy in Patients with Pollinosis from the Mediterranean Area

“…The response was evaluated by measuring the size of the wheal, using the equation: (D + d)/2, where D is the maximum diameter and d the perpendicular diameter. The tests were considered positive if the wheal area exceeded the diameter of the negative control by 3 mm [16]. …”

Tolerance of Oat-Based Topical Products in Cereal-Sensitized Adults with Atopic Dermatitis

“…Fourteen skin prick tests were performed, according to the guidelines of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology [17], on the anterior face of the left forearm: 1 negative control (phenol glycerosaline solution), 2 positive controls (histamine and codeine phosphate; 5 prick tests with oat extracts, 1 with the enzyme used in the hydrolyzed oat extracts, 1 with the study cream, 1 with the vehicle of the study cream (cream without oat extract) and 3 with wheat extracts. Results were read 30 min after the test.…”