1993 Volume 86 Issue 4 Pages 523-529
The effect of ketotifen nasal spray was investigated in 19 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis sensitized by house dust antigen.
To evaluate the effect of ketotifen nasal spray on eosinophils in nasal mucosa, we calculated the number of eosinophils, the amount of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and the percentage of EG2 positive eosinophils in nasal lavage fluid before and after topical use of the spray. Nasal lavages were carried out before and 30 minutes after a nasal antigen challenge with 40ml of normal saline at 37°C.
Moderate and more than moderate improvement was observed in 63.2% of the patients and slight or greater improvement in 73.7%. After the antigen challenge, the number of eosinophils and the concentration of ECP in nasal lavage fluids increased significantly. Topical use of ketotifen significantly inhibited the increase in the ECP level and tended to reduce the increase in the number of eosinophils. In addition, topical use of ketotifen significantly reduced the percentage of EG2 positive eosinophils. The percent changes in the increase in eosinophil counts and ECP level were compared between the group with moderate or greater moderate improvement and that without improvement. Both of them were significantly decreased in that with moderate or greater improvement.
The results indicate that the topical use of ketotifen nasal spray inhibits the accumulation, activation and degranulation of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa and that it is useful in the treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis.
