Journal of Pharmacological Sciences (Dec 2022)
Re-evaluation of over-the-counter histamine H1-receptor antagonists based on their effects on murine models of allergen-induced nasal hyperresponsiveness
Abstract
T cells play an essential role in the development of allergen-induced nasal hyperresponsiveness (NHR), a pathophysiological response in allergic rhinitis. The effects of histamine H1-receptor antagonists (antihistamines) on murine NHR models were investigated. Intragastric epinastine, fexofenadine, and loratadine administration suppressed allergen-induced immediate nasal response but not NHR in immunized mice. Regardless of the alleviation of stimulation-induced Th2 cytokine expression by loratadine and desloratadine in vitro, allergen-induced NHR and nasal eosinophil infiltration in Th2 cell–transferred mice were unaffected by loratadine in vivo. This influence on T cell–mediated NHR was excluded from the pharmacological effects of antihistamines.