Background: Phototherapy has a profound immunosuppressive effect and is able to inhibit
hypersensibility reactions in the skin. Objective: We evaluated whether phototherapy
using a combination of UV-B (5%), UV-A (25%), and visible light (70%), referred to
as mUV/VIS, is effective in treating allergic rhinitis. Methods: We conducted a randomized,
double-blind study, in 49 patients with hay fever. The study was performed during
the ragweed season. Each intranasal cavity was illuminated 3 times a week for 3 weeks
with mUV/VIS or with low-intensity visible light. Symptom scores, inflammatory cells,
and their mediators were assessed in nasal lavages. In vitro effects of mUV/VIS irradiation
on T-cell and eosinophil apoptosis and its inhibitory effect on mediator release from
basophils were examined. Results: Rhinophototherapy was tolerated well and resulted
in a significant improvement of clinical symptoms for sneezing (P < .016), rhinorrhea
(P < .007), nasal itching (P < .014), and total nasal score (P < .004). None of the
scores improved significantly in the control group. Scores for nasal obstruction slightly
improved after mUV/VIS treatment and significantly increased in the control group
(P < .017). In the nasal lavage, phototherapy significantly reduced the number of
eosinophils and the level of eosinophil cationic protein and IL-5. In vitro irradiation
of T cells and eosinophils with mUV/VIS light dose-dependently induced apoptosis.
Furthermore, mUV/VIS irradiation inhibited the mediator release from RBL-2H3 basophils.
Conclusion: These results suggest that phototherapy is an effective modality to treat
allergic rhinitis and offer new options for the treatment of immune-mediated mucosal
diseases.
