Effect of specific immunotherapy on plasma interleukin 13 and 8 levels in patients with allergic rhinitis

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-8 levels in patients with allergic rhinitis who were and were not receiving specific immunotherapy.

METHODS: A total of 84 patients being followed up in the immunology-allergy outpatient clinic for allergic rhinitis (42 receiving immunotherapy) and 23 healthy control subjects were included. Serum IL-13 and IL-8 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all groups. Allergic rhinitis patients were also evaluated in terms of symptom scores, IgE levels, and skin prick test results.

RESULTS: Comparison of serum IL-13 and IL-8 among the groups demonstrated that levels of both cytokines were significantly higher in both allergic rhinitis patient groups compared to controls (p<0.001), and significantly higher in symptomatic allergic rhinitis patients compared to patients receiving immunotherapy (p<0.001 for IL-13, p=0.004 for IL-8).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Immunotherapy is the only curative treatment for allergic rhinitis. The results of our study suggest that immunotherapy exerts its effect by modifying levels of IL-13 and IL-8 in addition to previously well-known cytokines.