Histopathological effects of intranasal phototherapy and nasal corticosteroids in allergic rhinitis in a rabbit model

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2015.06.011Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Nasal phototherapy reduces nasal inflammation in allergic rhinitis.

  • Rhinolight is as effective as corticosteroids in reducing nasal inflammation.

  • Nasal phototherapy does not induce apoptosis in allergic rhinitis.

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common health problems and has a major effect on quality of life. Although new-generation antihistamines and nasal steroids are the main treatment options, complete resolution cannot be obtained in some patients. Besides common side effects such as nasal irritation and epistaxis, the use of these drugs is controversial in some patients, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women. These findings highlight the need for new treatment options. Although phototherapy has been successfully used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, which is an IgE-mediated disease and shares several common pathogenic features with allergic rhinitis, there are limited studies about its role in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the histopathological effects of intranasal phototherapy (Rhinolight) and nasal corticosteroid treatment on the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis in a rabbit model and we found that both treatment options significantly reduced inflammation in the nasal mucosa without increasing apoptosis of mucosal cells.

Introduction

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common health problems and has a major effect on quality of life [1]. It is characterised by nasal symptoms including rhinorrhea, itching, sneezing, and nasal congestion [2]. Allergic rhinitis involves nasal inflammation that results from IgE-mediated immune responses to specific allergens [2], [3]. Although new-generation antihistamines and nasal steroids are the main treatment options, complete resolution cannot be obtained in some patients. Besides common side effects such as nasal irritation and epistaxis, the use of these drugs is controversial in some patients, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women [4], [5]. These findings highlight the need for new treatment options.

Although phototherapy has been successfully used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, which is an IgE-mediated disease and shares several common pathogenic features with allergic rhinitis [6], there are limited studies about its role in the treatment of allergic rhinitis [7], [8], [9]. In this study we aimed to evaluate and compare the histopathological effects of intranasal phototherapy (Rhinolight) and nasal corticosteroid treatment on the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis in a rabbit model.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

A total of 24 male New Zealand rabbits (20–24 weeks of age, 2000–3000 g) were used in the study. Animals were purchased from Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine Animal Application and Research Center, Bursa, Turkey. The study was approved by the Committee of Animal Research of Abant İzzet Baysal University Institute for Experimental Medicine Research, Bolu, Turkey. All the animals were kept in individual rubber-covered iron cages and were given free access to food (ad libitum) and water. All

Results

Nasal mucosa and concha structure were normal in the control group (Group 1). In the untreated allergic rhinitis group (Group 2), there were widespread inflammatory cells, mainly neutrophils and mast cells, in the intraepithelial and submucosal layers. Significant intraepithelial goblet cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia were also seen. Loss of cilia and vascular congestion were detected in some parts of the nasal epithelium, as shown in Fig. 1.

In the positive control group treated with

Discussion

In this study we showed that intranasal phototherapy significantly decreased inflammation and goblet cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia in an allergic rhinitis model without inducing apoptosis. This is the first study that compares the histopathological findings related to intranasal phototherapy and nasal steroid (mometasone furuate) treatment. We showed that intranasal phototherapy has similar histopathological effects as mometasone furuate on nasal mucosa in an allergic rhinitis rabbit model.

Conclusion

In this study the histopathological effect of nasal steroids and intranasal phototherapy was compared for the first time. Both treatment options significantly reduced inflammation in the nasal mucosa without increasing apoptosis of mucosal cells.

Acknowledgements

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References (17)

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