RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Rhinitis, which occurs most commonly as allergic rhinitis and affects 20% of the world's population, is a major health care burden causing significant morbidity. Considering the high prevalence of allergic rhinitis and anti-inflammatory effects of thyme, a favorite condiment, we performed a randomized clinical trial to determine whether thyme can relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms and affect the expression of TH17- and T-regulatory cell- (Treg) related cytokines IL-17, TGF-ß, FOXP3, and IL-10. METHODS: Thirty patients with allergic rhinitis symptoms and positive skin prick test for common aero allergens were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. The experimental group received thyme or Zataria multiflora (ZM) extracts and the control group received placebo for two months. Expression of IL-17, TGF-ß, FOXP3, and IL-10 was evaluated in all subjects by real-time PCR before and after intervention. RESULTS: After treatment IL-17 expression was significantly less in the ZM group than in controls (p<0.05), while TGF-ß, FOXP3, and IL-10, expression were not significantly changed. CONCLUSION: Given the significant effect of thyme in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis and decrease IL-17 gene expression and because allergic rhinitis is a multifactorial disease, the administration of thyme extract along with conventional treatments may benefit allergic rhinitis sufferers.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Spontaneous urticaria is a common allergic skin condition affecting 0.5-1% of individuals and may burden on health care expenditure or may be associated with remarkable morbidity. AIM: In this study, we measured the effect of vitamin D supplementation in patients with a diagnosis of CSU. Furthermore, quality of life and cytokine changes were evaluated. METHODS: The clinical trial was conducted on 20 patients with idiopathic chronic urticaria. Vitamin D was administered orally for 8 weeks and disease activity was measured pre- and post-treatment using USS and DLQI. On the other hand expressions of IL-17, IL-10, Foxp3, and TGF-ß by Real-time RT-PCR were assessed. RESULTS: USS questionnaire showed that severity of idiopathic urticaria after the intervention, which compared with the first day reached a significant 55% reduction. The DLQI quality of life questionnaire 2 months after treatment showed 55% improvement. Along with the significant improvement of clinical symptoms, use of vitamin D increase FOXP3 gene expression and downregulation of IL-10, TGF-B, and FOXP3, IL-17, but these changes were not statistically significant. LIMITATION: These might happen due to lack of enrolled population in the investigation. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D can be used along with standard medical care and it's a safe and cost-effective method for the treatment of chronic urticaria with deficiency of vitamin D.
