Studying the Effects of Vitamin A on the Severity of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Abstract

Allergic asthma is a complex lung disease characterized by breathlessness, airway inflammation, and obstruction. Allergy and allergic rhinitis (AR) are the main triggers of asthma. Vitamin A is an important supplementary factor for the physiological activation of the immune system. In the present study, we investigated the effects of vitamin A on the exacerbation of allergic asthma symptoms. BALB/c mice were allocated to four groups. Asthma was created in two groups, and in the other two groups, rhinitis was induced. One of the asthma groups and one of the rhinitis groups orally received vitamin A (20 IU/g for 15 days). The levels of Immunoglobulin (Ig) E, histamine, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (Cys-LT), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-35 as well as eosinophil peroxidase activity, were measured. Also, the histopathology of mice lungs was evaluated. The levels of total IgE, LTB4, Cys-LT, IL-4, IL-5, IL-17, and IL-33, eosinophil peroxidase activity, perivascular and peribronchial inflammation significantly decreased in vitamin A-treated asthma and rhinitis groups compared to non-treated groups. Also, IL-13 and histamine levels, hyperplasia of the goblet cell, and hyper-secretion of the mucus insignificantly decreased in vitamin A-treated asthma and rhinitis groups. Asthma and AR are common diseases that are generally developed due to the dysregulation of the immune system. Vitamin A plays an important role in controlling the immunopathologic mechanisms of allergic diseases. Vitamin A could be a useful supplement in managing AR and asthma by decreasing the severity of inflammatory responses. Therefore, control of vitamin A deficiency is recommended in Allergy.