Effects of Topical Mometasone Furoate Therapy on Local and Systemic Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Levels in Allergic Rhinitis Patients

Background: In this study we aimed to investigate the systemic and local levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) before and after topically applied mometasone furoate therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis. We also investigated the effects of therapy on local eosinophil accumulation. Material and Methods: Twenty-two patients (8 males and 14 females; median of 46 years ranging, from 17 to 68 years) with AR were subjects of this study. Percentages of eosinophils in nasal smears were calculated. MIF levels in serum and nasal lavage were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Topical glucocorticoid treatment significantly inhibited total symptom score (TSS) (16,95 4,27 and 9,24 3,38, respectively,p<0.001). After therapy, mean percentages of eosinophils decreased significantly (51.86 28,94 and 25.64 23,60 respectively,p<0.001) by impression cytology. MIF levels both in serum (782,55 759,43 pg/ml and 917.10 1080,37 pg/ml, respectively) and nasal lavage (503,53 294,50 pg/ml and 1422.35 1097,98 pg/ml, respectively) increased after mometasone therapy. However, only the change in nasal lavage samples was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: TSS and nasal eosionophil numbers in nasal mucosa decreased following therapy. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the relations between clinical improvement and the significant changes in MIF levels following MFNS treatment.