Anti-inflammatory effects of intranasal cyclosporine for allergic rhinitis in a mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Although topical corticosteroids are considered a safe and effective drug for allergic rhinitis (AR), some AR patients do not show sufficient symptomatic improvement by use of topical corticosteroids. Topical cyclosporine is a safe and effective drug for patients with allergic conjunctivitis, particularly for those with steroid-resistant allergic conjunctivitis. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of intranasal cyclosporine for AR using a mouse model.

METHODS: After establishment of allergic inflammation in 5-week-old BALB/c mice, cyclosporine was administered intranasally 3 times per week for 2 weeks. To confirm its anti-inflammatory effects, triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) was utilized as a control drug. Histopathologic changes were evaluated using Sirius red and Giemsa staining for eosinophilic and mast cell infiltration, respectively. The levels of cytokines in sinonasal tissues, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13, were assessed based on a cytometric bead array.

RESULTS: The degree of eosinophilic infiltration was significantly decreased by instillation of cyclosporine, the potency being similar to TAC. However, the number of mast cells was not decreased by cyclosporine or TAC. The levels of TNF, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were significantly decreased after treatment with cyclosporine.

CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory effects of topical cyclosporine for AR were equivalent to those of topical corticosteroids. Topical cyclosporine may be useful for the treatment of AR, although human studies are required.