薬理と治療

Abstract

Objective　The aim of this study is to clarify the effects of β-carotene on the nasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis（PAR）in subjects without seasonal allergic rhinitis（SAR）symptoms. Methods　We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study in ninety-six subjects with mild to moderate PAR symptoms, but without SAR symptoms. They were randomly divided into two groups and ingested a mixed vegetable and fruit juice containing β-carotene（β-carotene group）or a placebo juice（placebo group） for 8 weeks. The symptoms of PAR were assessed by classification of the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms（CSARS）and Japanese allergic rhinitis standard quality of life questionnaire （JRQLQ）. The serum concentrations of β-carotene, vitamin A （retinol）and IgE which was reported to be suppressed by vitamin A were measured. Results　The changes of“sneezing”and“nasal symptoms”in CSARS at week 2, and the change of“sneezing”in JRQLQ symptoms scores at week 8 were significantly larger in β-carotene group than in placebo group. In QOL scores of JRQLQ, “ social life”and “sleep”scores at week 8 were significantly lower in β-carotene group than in placebo group. The serum concentration of β-carotene at week 4 and 8 were significantly higher in β-carotene group than in placebo group. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the serum concentration of retinol and IgE between groups. Conclusions　These results suggest that β-carotene could improve nasal symptoms of PAR and QOL in subjects without SAR symptoms. These effects would be due to β-carotene, not vitamin A, a metabolic product of β-carotene. （UMIN：UMIN000037921