Comparison Of Serum Levels Of Ige, Ecp, And Related Cytokines Among Patients With Allergic Rhinitis, Chronic Rhinosinusitis, And Nasal Polyps

Background: Allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and nasal polyps are nasal inflammatory disorders characterized by several immune responses mediated by humoral and cellular immunity. Although previous studies have reported on various inflammatory cells and cytokine profiles that correlate to the development of these diseases, relatively little is understood regarding the mechanisms.Objective: To discuss the differences in blood eosinophils and serum levels of total IgE, allergen-specific IgE, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-5 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) among patients with allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps, compared with those in healthy controls. The relationship between these parameters and the disease severity were also analysed.Methods: 63 patients with allergic rhinitis, 61 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, and 63 patients with nasal polyps were included in the study. 57 healthy individuals served as control subjects. Peripheral blood eosinophil counts were detected. Serum total IgE, allergen-specific IgE and ECP were investigated by means of UniCAP100 system, and the concentration of serum IL-1β, IL-5 and TNF were measured by using BDTM Cytometric Bead Array.Results: 1. Inter-group analysis showed that①blood eosinophils were significantly higher in patients with allergic rhinitis or nasal polyps than in controls;②there was no siginificant difference between chronic rhinosinusitis and the contol groups;③blood eosinophils were significantly higher in patients with allergic rhinitis than in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyps;④blood eosinophils were significantly higher in patients with nasal polyps than in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. 2. Inter-group analysis showed that①serum levels of ECP were significantly higher in three patient groups than in control groups;②there was no siginificant difference between the groups of allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis, or nasal polyps;③there was no siginificant difference between the groups of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. A positive correlation was observed between blood eosinophils and serum levels of ECP in all of four groups. 3. Inter-group analysis showed that①serum levels of total IgE were significantly higher in three patient groups than in control groups;②serum levels of total IgE were significantly higher in patients with allergic rhinitis than in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyps;③there was no siginificant difference between the groups of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. 4. Inter-group analysis showed that①serum levels of specific IgE were significantly higher in patients with allergic rhinitis or nasal polyps than in controls;②there was no siginificant difference between chronic rhinosinusitis and the contol groups;③serum levels of specific IgE were significantly higher in patients with allergic rhinitis than in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyps;④serum levels of specific IgE were significantly higher in patients with nasal polyps than in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. 5. Inter-group analysis showed that①serum levels of IL-1βand IL-5 were significantly higher in three patient groups than in control groups, respectively;②there was no siginificant difference in serum levels of IL-1βamong three patient groups;③serum levels of IL-5 were significantly lower in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis than in patients with allergic rhinitis; however, no siginificant difference was observed between the groups of allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps;④there was no siginificant difference in serum levels of IL-1βand IL-5 between the groups of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps, respectively;⑤there was no siginificant difference in serum levels of TNF among three patient groups compared with control group.Conclusion: 1. Eosinophilic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and nasal polyps. However, there is no relationship between the disease severity and blood eosinophils, as well as serum ECP levels. 2. Allergic rhinitis is a typical IgE-mediated disorder, and the allergic factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of nasal polyps but not chronic rhinosinusitis. 3. Proinflammatory cytokine IL-1βand Th2 cytokine IL-5 involve in the development of allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and nasal polyps.