ECP Levels Research Articles

Objective assessment of persistent rhinitis in Chinese and its relationship with serum indicators.

Persistent rhinitis (PR) is a chronic disease that affects millions of people. However, it lacks of a useful method, which can indicate the actual severity of the inflammation in PR patients. This study was designed to seek an examination which could reflect the actual severity of PR disease. The serum Phadiatop test, ECP level, four-phase rhinomanometry, and acoustic rhinometry were assessed in 91 adult patients with PR and 10 healthy controls. The serum total IgE was determined in some of the patients and all of the controls. The patients were divided into four groups: ARWO, ARWTO, NARWO and NARWTO. 40% (22/55) of AR and 33.3% (13/36) of NAR patients never complained of persistent nasal obstruction. Serum ECP levels were increased in the ARWO group. Serum total IgE was significantly elevated in the AR groups. MCA(1-Min) and MCA(1-T) were significantly reduced in the ARWO, ARWTO, and NARWO groups. NV(6-Min) and NV(6-T) were decreased in all PR groups, but only some of these differences were significant. In the ARWO group, MCA(2-Min) (r = -0.252), MCA(2-T) (r = -0.377), NV(6-Min) (r = -0.32), and NV(6-T) (r = -0.311) had significant relationships with serum ECP. We recommend acoustic rhinometry as a useful routine tool for the diagnosis of PR, even among patients without persistent subjective nasal obstruction. This technique might reveal the actual status of nasal congestion. An elevated serum ECP level might indicate severe AR and is negatively correlated with the results of acoustic rhinometry.

Tear Eosinophil Cationic Protein Levels in Allergic Keratoconjunctivitis

Results: Tear ECP levels in patients with AKC were significantly higher than those in patients with SAC/PAC and in control subjects (p = 0.012 and p = 0.003, respectively). The number of patients with papillary formation scores of 2-3 was significantly higher in the AKC group than in the SAC/PAC group (p = 0.016). The number of patients with conjunctival injection scores of 2-3 did not significantly differ between the AKC and SAC/PAC groups (p = 0.128). All AKC patients obtained papillary formation scores of 2-3, and tear ECP levels in patients with conjunctival injection scores of 2-3 were significantly higher than in patients with scores of 0-1 in the AKC group (p < 0.001). In the SAC/PAC group, tear ECP levels in patients with papillary formation scores of 2-3 were significantly higher than in patients with scores of 0-1 (p = 0.046). Conclusions: This study suggests that tear ECP was a useful marker to diagnose and assess the severity of disease in patients with AKC as well as SAC/PAC. It would be useful to monitor therapeutic outcome in allergic conjunctivitis. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2014;55(9):1291-1297

Bronchial inflammation in seasonal allergic rhinitis with or without asthma in relation to natural exposure to pollen allergens

BackgroundNasal inflammation in allergic rhinitis enhances bronchial Th2 driven inflammation and development of asthma. We assessed bronchial inflammation induced by natural allergen exposure during pollen season in patients with pollinosis with or without asthma to show the intensity of inflammation in asthma and rhinitis and possible persistence of inflammation in periods without allergen exposure. MethodsSputum was induced in 52 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis without asthma, 38 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and seasonal asthma and 23 healthy volunteers. Sampling was performed 6–8 weeks before the expected beginning of symptoms, during symptomatic period and 6–8 weeks after the end of symptoms. Sputum ECP was measured by means of chemiluminiscent immunometric assay and sputum cell counts were assessed by classical staining and immunocytochemistry. ResultsSputum eosinophils were on the whole higher in both asthma and rhinitis compared to controls (p<0.001, p=0.003). The rise of eosinophils during pollen season compared with values out of pollen season was significant in asthma (classical staining) (p=0.014) and slightly apparent in rhinitis (immunocytochemistry) (p=0.073). The seasonal rise of sputum ECP was observed only in rhinitis (p=0.006). ConclusionsInflammation of the lower airway in patients with allergic rhinitis with and without asthma has been confirmed by means of both sputum eosinophil count and sputum ECP level. Persistent inflammation of lower airway in periods without allergen exposure was proven in seasonal asthma. This may have implications for the therapy of seasonal allergic rhinitis with and without asthma in terms of promoting long-term anti-inflammatory treatment.

Mediator release after nasal aspirin provocation supports different phenotypes in subjects with hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs

Multiple NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema (MNSAID-UA) is an entity well differentiated from aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), although no detailed phenotype analysis has yet been performed. The objective was to evaluate the functional characteristics of MNSAID-UA subjects by analyzing the response to nasal lysine-aspirin challenge and measurement of nasal inflammatory mediator release compared with AERD subjects and controls. The study included 85 subjects with confirmed hypersensitivity to NSAIDs (≥3 episodes with >2 different NSAIDs or positive drug provocation) with either cutaneous (MNSAID-UA, n = 25) or respiratory manifestations (AERD, n = 60) and 30 tolerant controls (15 aspirin-tolerant asthmatic patients and 15 healthy controls). Nasal lavages at 0, 15, 60, and 120 min after lysine-aspirin challenge were analyzed for ECP, tryptase, PGE2 , PGD2 , LTD4 , and LTE4 . Lysine nasal challenge was positive in 80% of the AERD cases but positive only in 12% of the MNSAID-UA group. MNSAID-UA subjects showed no changes in nasal ECP, whereas subjects with AERD had increased levels of ECP, with the highest peak at 15 min after challenge (P < 0.05). Tryptase levels were higher in AERD compared with MNSAID-UA and controls with the highest release of tryptase at 60 min (P < 0.05). Significant increases in PGD2 , LTD4 , and LTE4 were observed in AERD (at 60 min for PGD2 , LTD4 , and LTE4 ) but not in MNSAID-UA or control subjects (P < 0.05). Data support the observation that MNSAID-UA, although sharing a common response with AERD to COX inhibitors, seems to have a distinctive phenotype, based on the response to nasal challenge and the release of inflammatory mediators.

Minimal persistent inflammation in Japanese cedar pollinosis and a prophylactic effect of intranasal corticosteroids

Background Low doses of allergen exposure can cause an activation of inflammatory cells in nasal mucosa without an onset of nasal symptoms, called MPI (minimal persistent inflammation). MPI contributes to hyperreactivity and subsequently onset of the full-scale symptom. However, little is known whether MPI is present in JCP (Japanese cedar pollinosis). In addition, a prophylactic effect of intranasal corticosteroids on MPI in JCP has not been investigated. Method We designed a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. 20 patients with JCP and without perennial allergic rhinitis were enrolled. Nasal provocation test with low dose of allergen (14.7µg/disc) was performed once daily for 3 consecutive days. The levels of ECP and tryptase in nasal discharge were examined. Patients started to receive FFNS (fluticasone furoate nasal spray) or placebo one day before the first nasal provocation test. Result In placebo group, only 25% of patients showed positive response to the provocation test on day 1. However, 75% and 68% of patients showed positive response on day 2 and day 3, respectively. After the first provocation, the levels of ECP and tryptase were both significantly increased. These levels were not significantly different between the positive and negative responders, and the increase was seen even in the negative responders. Pretreatment with FFNS significantly suppressed the increase of nasal ECP and tryptase. Conclusion These results suggest that MPI characterized by the upregulation of ECP and tryptase is present in JCP, and a prophylactic treatment with intranasal corticosteroids has a potential for controlling MPI in JCP.

Early interventional treatment with intranasal corticosteroids is superior to post‐onset treatment in Japanese cedar/cypress pollinosis

Background The usefulness of early interventional treatment (EIT) with intranasal corticosteroids (INS) as compared to post-onset treatment (POT) has not been clarified. We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of EIT with INS compared with POT and placebo in Japanese cedar/cypress pollinosis. Method Results The placebo and POT groups, but not the EIT group, showed a significant exacerbation of TNSS and TOSS soon after the start of pollen counts being high on conse- cutive days. The 12-week average TSS in the EIT group (score, 2.3) was significantly lower than in the placebo (5.0; P<0.01) and POT (3.9; P=0.03) groups. All subjects in the placebo and POT groups were classified as having persistent rhinitis, while 80% of the EIT group met the ARIA classification criteria (P=0.03). QOL score and nasal ECP levels were lower in the EIT and POT groups as compared with the placebo group. Daytime sleepiness, smell disturbance and the average dose of loratadine taken as the rescue medication were similar. Treatment with mometasone was well tolerated. Conclusion

Basic and clinical immunology – 3025. Suppression of eosinphil activation by levocetirizine hydrochloride in vivo

Methods The influence of histamine H1 receptor antagonists on eosinophil functions was examined through the choice of levocetirizine hydrochloride (LH) in vivo.Patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis were orally treated with LH once a day at a single dose of 5 mg for two weeks during Japanese cedar pollen season (February 2012 to April 2012). Nasal secretions were obtained before and after treatment with the filter paper method. Eosinophil activation was assessed by measuring the levels of both ECP and MBP in nasal secretions by ELISA. We also examined the number of eosinophils in nasal secretions and IgE levels in peripheral blood obtained from patients before and after treatment with LH.

Environmental and occupational respiratory diseases – 1061. The change of eosinophil, serum level of ECP, and interleukin-5 during mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in atopic children

Background A number of studies have outlined mechanisms by which mycoplasma infection may promote allergic lung inflammation. In addition, there is increasing evidence from human studies suggesting that mycoplasma infection contribute to asthma exacerbations, and severity with the change of cytokines. The present study evaluated the change of serum levels of eosinophil count, eosinophil cationic protein, and interleukin-5 in atopic children with Mycoplasma pneumonia infection.

Cord IgE and ECP levels of Malay neonates

BackgroundCord IgE and ECP levels are major atopic markers implicated in early childhood allergy development. Most epidemiological studies to date have not utilised current technology to establish baseline cord IgE levels, further aggravated by lack of data in this region. This study also attempts to identify a relationship between cord IgE and ECP levels as a mean to improve sensitivity for early prediction of atopy. MethodsA total of 3183 cord blood IgE including 44 cord ECP samples of term neonates from Malay parentage were recruited. Total IgE and ECP levels were determined by ImmunoCAP and fluoroimmunoenzymatic, respectively. ResultsCord IgE geometric mean was 0.15kU/L. Males had higher IgE geometric mean than females (0.17 vs. 0.13). IgE values between 17 pair of twins was not significant (p=0.169). Frequency of males (29.9%) in >0.9kU/L IgE category was higher than females (26.1%). In the <0.35kU/L category, females had a higher frequency (44.8%) than males (39.1%). Males had significantly (p=0.023) higher IgE level than females. November and February had the highest mean and median cord IgE level whereas October and December were the lowest, respectively. IgE level across months was not significant (p=0.234). Cord ECP mean was 5.21g/L and median was 3.75μg/L. There was no significant correlation (p=0.513; r=-0.101) between cord blood ECP and IgE levels. ConclusionCord blood IgE level of Malay male neonates was significantly higher than females. These results do not support cord ECP as plausible adjunct parameter to IgE for early atopic detection.

Clinical Relevance of IL‐17 during SLIT on AR to HDM

Objective: To investigate the clinical relevance of serum IL-17 levels in AR patients treated with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) to identify the function of TH17 cells and IL-17 in AR. Method: The patients with AR to HDM starting to receive SLIT in Seoul National University Hospital between June 2008 and August 2010 were enrolled. We detected serum IL-17 levels via ELISA before and 1 and 2 years after starting SLIT. Symptom diaries, rescue medication use, and other immunological parameters were analyzed. Results: Longer onset of symptoms and moderate to severe symptoms were significantly related to higher serum IL-17 levels before starting SLIT. HDM-specific IgE significantly increased between the baseline and the first year of SLIT, while HDM-specific IgG4 had no significant change. There was a significant positive correlation between serum ECP and IL-17 levels during SLIT. The changes of serum IL-17 and total IgE levels for 1 year had an inverse relationship with the effectiveness of SLIT. Changed serum IL-17 levels at the first year was the most significant factor in relation to the effectiveness of SLIT by multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Serum IL-17 levels in AR correlated with duration from symptom onset, symptom severity, and serum ECP levels. Changes of serum IL-17 levels during SLIT are expected to be a prognostic factor to predict the effectiveness of SLIT. Thus, IL-17 and TH17 cells might have an important role in AR pathogenesis.

IL‐31 significantly correlates with disease activity and Th2 cytokine levels in children with atopic dermatitis

Recently, we could show that IL-31 serum levels are significantly increased in adult patients with atopic dermatitis compared with skin healthy controls. However, the regulation of IL-31 in children with atopic dermatitis so far is not clear. Thus, we analyzed IL-31 serum levels together with IL-4, IL-13, ECP, and total IgE levels in 60 children with extrinsic, in five children with intrinsic atopic dermatitis, and 20 non-atopic healthy children. Further, we determined the SCORAD score, sleeplessness, and pruritus severity in all children with atopic dermatitis. IL-31 was significantly increased in children with the intrinsic and extrinsic type of atopic dermatitis compared with non-atopic healthy children (p < 0.05-0.001). Further, IL-31 serum levels significantly correlated with SCORAD score (p < 0.01), sleeplessness (p < 0.05), IL-4, and IL-13 levels (p < 0.01) in children with extrinsic atopic dermatitis. There was no correlation of IL-31 with pruritus, total IgE Ab, and ECP levels, whereas ECP levels significantly correlated with the SCORAD score in children with extrinsic atopic dermatitis. Together, IL-31 represents an interesting cytokine especially with regard to the severity of the inflammatory process indicated by the correlation of IL-31 with SCORAD score and Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-13 in children with extrinsic atopic dermatitis.

Structural motifs, thermodynamic properties, bonding and aromaticity of sandwich complexes formed by alkaline earth metals with pentafulvene. A theoretical approach

Structure of M(η5-C6H6)2 complexes, where M=(Be, Ma, Ca, Sr, Ba), and C6H6 is the pentafulvene, was optimized at the B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p)/ECP level of theory. Two types of complexes were found: (cis-) singlet ansa-metallocenes with the cis-arrangement of two pentafulvene rings and (trans-) triplet sandwich type pentafulvene complexes of trans-where two pentafulvene molecules are rotated in respect to each other by various degrees. All metals except beryllium are bonded in η5-mode of coordination. The charge transfer of 1.6–1.8 e from the metal atom to the pentafulvene ring estimated by Natural Population Analysis results in aromatization of the fulvene rings, which is documented by three aromaticity indices: electronic pEDA, geometric HOMA and magnetic NICS(1)ZZ. For sandwich complexes pEDA and NICS(1)ZZ are linearly correlated. Bonding situation in systems under study was analyzed by Energy Decomposition Analysis at the B3LYP/TZP/ZORA level. The electrostatic contribution is dominant, especially in the case of cis-complexes, however the covalent contribution is substantial, especially for beryllium complex. Exceptionally low dissociation energy of magnesium complex can be explained by the fact that the electrostatic and orbital contributions are not fully compensating the high Pauli repulsion term.

Positive Bronchial Responses To D. Pteronyssinus In Subjects With Confirmed Local Allergic Rhinitis

Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is characterized by positive responses to nasal challenge with allergens in absence of systemic atopy. Subjects with LAR frequently show other co-morbidities including asthma. The possible role of allergens in the bronchial symptoms of subjects with LAR has not been addressed. Twenty subjects with confirmed LAR with D. Pteronyssinus (DP) and asthmatic symptoms (LARA), 20 subjects with allergic rhinitis with DP and asthmatic symptoms (ARA) and 10 healthy subjects as control group (CG) were recruited. Bronchial challenge was performed with DP extract at 4 μg/ml. Metacholine challenge and induced sputum were performed prior to and 24 hours after challenge. Cell populations and Th1/Th2 cytokines in sputum were evaluated by flow cytometry, and ECP and triptase in sputum by CAP method. Forty percent of LARA and all ARA subjects had positive responses to bronchial challenge with DP. PC20 values decreased in both groups 24 hours after challenge (p<0.05). Sputum ECP values also increased after challenge in both LARA and ARA groups (16.8±14.5 vs. 20.1±21 and 52±69 vs, 95±98, respectively). Also, an increase in sputum eosinophils was observed (LARA: 6.9±11 vs. 14.2±7.3, ARA: 3.7±3 vs. 7.2±6). LARA subjects had higher values of IL5,IL8, IL10, IL12 and IFN-gamma at baseline compared to ARA and controls, but no significant variations after challenge. Positive responses to D. Pteronyssinus were observed in the lower airways of subjects with clear history of asthmatic symptoms. Similar methacholine responses and increases in ECP and eosinophil levels were observed in both LARA and ARA groups.

Early Interventional Treatment with Intranasal Mometasone Furoate in Japanese Cedar/Cypress Pollinosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Little is known about the safety and effectiveness of early interventional treatment (EIT) with intranasal corticosteroids for seasonal allergic rhinitis. We designed a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled 12-week trial of EIT with mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) for Japanese cedar/cypress pollinosis (JCCP). A total of 50 JCCP patients received MFNS (200μg once daily: n = 25) or placebo (n = 25) starting on February 1, 2010. Treatments continued until the end of April. The primary endpoint was the comparison of the total nasal symptom score (TNSS) between the MFNS and placebo groups. The secondary endpoints included comparisons of QOL, daytime sleepiness, nasal ECP levels, and safety. Continuous dispersion of Japanese cedar pollen began on February 22. Although the placebo group showed a significant worsening of symptoms after the start of the continuous dispersion, no worsening occurred in the MFNS group. A significant difference in the TNSS between the two groups was seen starting at 4 weeks after the treatment. Similar results were seen for QOL and sleepiness. Nasal ECP levels in March were significantly lower in the MFNS group. A total of 56% of the MFNS group progressed to a persistent allergic rhinitis state in accordance with the ARIA classification, as opposed to 84% of the placebo group. MFNS was well tolerated, and the plasma cortisol concentrations were similar between the two groups. EIT with MFNS for JCCP is both safe and effective. This treatment can potentially lessen symptoms and help pollinosis patients remain in the intermittent state.

Airway inflammation and mannitol challenge test in COPD

BackgroundEosinophilic airway inflammation has successfully been used to tailor anti-inflammatory therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) by indirect challenges is associated with airway inflammation. We hypothesized that AHR to inhaled mannitol captures eosinophilia in induced sputum in COPD.MethodsTwenty-eight patients (age 58 ± 7.8 yr, packyears 40 ± 15.5, post-bronchodilator FEV1 77 ± 14.0%predicted, no inhaled steroids ≥4 wks) with mild-moderate COPD (GOLD I-II) completed two randomized visits with hypertonic saline-induced sputum and mannitol challenge (including sputum collection). AHR to mannitol was expressed as response-dose-ratio (RDR) and related to cell counts, ECP, MPO and IL-8 levels in sputum.ResultsThere was a positive correlation between RDR to mannitol and eosinophil numbers (r = 0.47, p = 0.03) and level of IL-8 (r = 0.46, p = 0.04) in hypertonic saline-induced sputum. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between RDR and eosinophil numbers (r = 0.71, p = 0.001), level of ECP (r = 0.72, p = 0.001), IL-8 (r = 0.57, p = 0.015) and MPO (r = 0.64, p = 0.007) in sputum collected after mannitol challenge. ROC-curves showed 60% sensitivity and 100% specificity of RDR for >2.5% eosinophils in mannitol-induced sputum.ConclusionsIn mild-moderate COPD mannitol hyperresponsiveness is associated with biomarkers of airway inflammation. The high specificity of mannitol challenge suggests that the test is particularly suitable to exclude eosinophilic airways inflammation, which may facilitate individualized treatment in COPD.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR1283

Evaluation of Serum Eosiniphil Cationic Protein in Asthmatic Children with Varying Degree of Severity

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of serum eosinophil cationic protein in relation to diagnosis and assessment of disease severity in asthmatic children.Patients and Methods: This study included 50 patients suffering from bronchial asthma of those attending the pediatrics clinic of National Research Center (NRC). Patients were diagnosed as asthmatic up on the classification of asthma severity according to GINA Guidelines. Twenty four healthy age and sex matched children were included as a control group. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the NRC. The exclusion criteria were history of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, atopic eczema, infectious exacerbation, and parasitic infestation. All children included in the study were subjected to complete history taking, thorough clinical examination, pulmonary function tests and measurement of serum eosinophil cationic protein.Results: There was a significant increase of serum ECP levels in patients compared with controls. (p=0.001), and significant positive correlation between ECP levels and severity of asthma. (r=0.91, p=0.001). There was a significant decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%) (p=0.001), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR %) (p=0.001) and forced expiratory flow 25-75% (FEF 25-75%) (p=0.001) in patients compared with controls. There was a significant negative correlation between ECP compared to FEV1% and PEFR% (r=-0.78, p=0.001).Conclusion: Serum eosinophil cationic protein is raised significantly in asthmatic children. It has a significant positive correlation with the severity of asthma. So measurement of serum ECP can be used as a marker for assessing disease severity of asthma.

Evaluation of peripheral blood eosinophilia, serum ECP levels of eosinophils in inflammatory infiltrates of gastric mucosa in food allergy patients

Eosinophilic infiltration may be found in all segments of the gastrointestinal tract. The goal of this study was to evaluate the peripheral blood eosinophilia, serum ECP levels and presence of eosinophils in inflammatory infiltrates of the gastric mucosa in food allergy patients.

Effects of Mometasone Furoate Nasal Spray on Patients with Seasonal Grass Pollinosis

Objective: Seasonal grass pollinosis has recently become a major problem because many people suffer from this allergy. In this study, we evaluate the clinical effects of mometasone for seasonal grass pollinosis, the changes of chemical mediators in nasal lavage fluid, and their correlation with the clinical response. Method: Twenty patients were treated with mometasone from May to August 2009. To assess the clinical response, we focused on the changes of symptoms shown by the allergy diary of each patient. We also investigated the correlation of ECP, VEGF, and eotaxin levels in nasal lavage fluid with the severity of symptoms. Results: There was a significant reduction of the symptom score, medication score, and symptom medication score after administration of mometasone, and also ECP, VEGF, and eotaxin levels showed significant reduction in nasal lavage fluid. We found a significant correlation with VEGF and nasal symptoms. Conclusion: These results may allow us to speculate that mometasone furoate nasal spray is effective for the treatment of patients with seasonal grass pollinosis and also useful to improve QOL of these patients.

Spatial evaluation of soil salinity using the WET sensor in the irrigated area of the Segura river lowland

AbstractThe electrical conductivity of the water within the soil pores (ECp) measured with the WET sensor, appears to be a reliable estimate of soil salinity. A methodology combining the use of the WET sensor along with geostatistics was developed to delimit and evaluate soil salinity within an irrigated area under arid to semiarid Mediterranean climate in SE Spain. A systematic random sampling of 104 points was carried out. The association between ECp and the saturation‐extract electrical conductivity (ECse) was assessed by means of correlation analysis. The semivariograms for ECp were obtained at three different soil depths. Interpolation techniques, such as ordinary kriging and cokriging, were applied to obtain ECp levels in the unknown places. For each one of the soil depths, a model able to predict ECse from ECp was developed by means of ordinary least squares regression analysis. A good correlation (r = 0.818, p &lt; 0.001) between ECp and ECse was found. Spherical spatial distribution was the best model to fit to experimental semivariograms of ECp at 10, 30, and 50 cm soil depths. Nevertheless, cokriging using the ECp of an adjacent soil depth as an auxiliary variable provided the best results, compared to ordinary kriging. An analytical propagation‐error methodology was found to be useful to ascertain the contribution of the spatial interpolation and ordinary least squares analysis to the uncertainty of the ECse mapping. This methodology allowed us to identify 98% of the study area as affected by salinity problems within a rooting depth of 50 cm, with the threshold of ECse value at 2 dS m–1. However, considering the crops actually grown and 10% potential reduction yield, the soil‐salinity‐affected area decreased to 83%. The use of sensors to measure soil salinity in combination with geostatistics is a cost‐effective way to draw maps of soil salinity at regional scale. This methodology is applicable to other agricultural irrigated areas under risk of salinization.

Full‐spectrum light phototherapy for atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disease resulting in a profound deterioration in quality of life. The FSL® is a newly developed phototherapy device generating full-spectrum light (FSL) with a continuous wavelength (320-5000 nm). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FSL® phototherapy in AD. We enrolled 38 patients with moderate to severe AD in this open, randomized, controlled, prospective study. In the FSL-irradiated group (20 patients), irradiation was conducted twice per week for 4 consecutive weeks. In the control group (18 patients), only emollient application was allowed. SCORing Atopic Dermatis (SCORAD) values were obtained at baseline, week 4 and 8. Patients were asked to give subjective assessments of improvement and laboratory tests including serum eosinophil counts, ECP levels, IgE levels and 22 cytokine levels were performed. In the FSL-irradiated group, the mean SCORAD value decreased significantly after 4 weeks of phototherapy and remained reduced for a further 4 weeks after the cessation of treatment. In the control group, the mean SCORAD value did not change significantly over the study period. Patients' subjective assessments indicated good to excellent responses in 75% of the FSL-irradiated group, by contrast with 50% of the control group. The mean values for serum eosinophil counts, IL-4 and IL-5 levels decreased significantly after FLS phototherapy. No serious adverse effects were reported. In this study, we showed that FSL® phototherapy can be an effective and safe treatment option in AD.