The Effects of Topical Mometasone Furoate Nasal Spray Therapy on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms, IL-4, and IL-8 Levels

Abstract

Objectives:We investigated the effects of mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) on cytokine levels of patients with allergic rhinitis and compared interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-8 levels before (BT) and after therapy (AT).Materials and Methods:Twenty-two patients with symptoms of allergic rhinitis were included in the study. Total rhinitis scores and physical examination findings were recorded, IL-4 and IL-8 levels were measured in serum and nasal lavage. After patients received 100 mcg MFNS daily (Nasonex®) for a month, symptoms scores and physical examination findings were recorded on weeks one and four, and IL-4 and IL-8 levels measured at the end of the fourth week.Results:The mean nasal lavage levels of IL-8 and IL-4 were 460.35±41.82 pg/ml and 10.16±0.75 pg/ml BT, and 396.84±43.23 pg/ml and 9.84±0.27 pg/ml AT, respectively (p>0.05). Symptom scores BT, after one week of therapy and at the end of fourth week were 17.18 (±3.97), 10.36 (±2.85) and 9.45 (±3.22), respectively (χ2=32.95, p<0.001). Serosal secretions significantly decreased during fourth week compared to BT (p=0.035). The oedema of nasal turbinates decreased significantly at the end of fourth week (p<0.001).Conclusion:MFNS therapy significantly reduced the symptoms of rhinitis starting from the first week of treatment and were effective at the end of 4th week. There was a significant decrease in nasal oedema following the treatment. However, clinical improvement was independent from the changes in IL- 4 and IL-8 levels suggesting that other mechanisms might be involved in anti-inflammatory activity of mometasone furoate.

Keywords

• allergic rhinitis
• interleukin-4
• interleukin-8
• mometasone furoate.