Study on changes in the level of serum IL-4 and soluble CD 23(s-CD23) with immunotherapy in nasal allergy patients.

In type I allergy such as allergic rhinitis, not only immunocytes but also interleukin 4 (IL-4) and other cytokines are significant factors. In the present study we explored the course of change in IL-4 in the sera of allergic rhinitis patients upon immunotherapy. Assays of serum IL-4 were performed by the chemiluminescence sandwich enzyme immunoassay using AMPPD(3-(2'-spirodamantane)-4-methoxy-4-(3'-phophoryloxy+ ++) phenyl-1,2-dioxetane). The results indicated that immunotherapy reduced the IL-4 level from the pre-treatment baseline but not significantly. However, as far as good responses to the therapy are concerned a significant decrease in IL-4 was seen, and s-CD23, assayed at the same time, was also significantly decreased by immunotherapy.