Cellular adhesion molecules in chronic urticaria: modulation of serum levels occurs during levocetirizine treatment

BACKGROUND: Some antihistamines are capable of reducing levels of adhesion molecules in wealing tissues of patients with chronic urticaria (CU). OBJECTIVES: To determine if 6 weeks of therapy with levocetirizine 5 mg once daily would also induce any decrease in serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) or P-selectin in subjects with CU and chronic autoimmune urticaria. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with CU (18 with positive and 18 with negative autologous serum skin test) were studied, together with 10 control healthy subjects. All patients received levocetirizine 5 mg daily. Serum soluble cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) levels were determined by immunoenzymatic assay before and after the end of the study period. Disease activity was recorded according to the EAACI/GA(2)LEN/EDF scoring system. RESULTS: After levocetirizine therapy CAM levels decreased in patients with CU, significantly in the cases of ELAM-1 and P-selectin. Patients' clinical scores improved during regular antihistamine therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Levocetirizine 5 mg daily demonstrated a broad anti-inflammatory effect in patients with CU. The significant decrease in serum levels of ELAM-1 and P-selectin might reflect the inhibitory activity on neutrophil rolling and extravasation towards inflamed skin.