Clinical Value of Eosinophil Cationic Protein Level in Nasal Secretion of Allergic Rhinitis Patients / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is one of the major granule-derived proteins with cytotoxic activity derived from eosinophils. It has also been used as a marker of allergic inflammation. In this study, we measured ECP levels in nasal secretion to evaluate its effect on nasal allergic symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ECP was measured in nasal secretion and in serum of 30 symptomatic allergic rhinitis patients, 20 non-allergic rhinitis patients, and 15 normal controls. We also measured symptom scores composed of sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and nasal blowing. RESULTS: The ECP level in the nasal secretion of allergic rhinitis was higher than those of non-allergic rhinitis and the normal control (p<0. 001). The difference of ECP levels in serum among three groups didn't have statistical significance, but there was statistically significant correlation between the ECP level in nasal secretion and the mean symptom scores in allergic rhinitis (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: The ECP level in nasal secretions seems to be a very useful parameter for monitoring and assessing the condition of nasal allergic inflammation in allergic rhinitis.