Inositol triphosphate (IP3) is the second messenger that is associated with signal transduction in multiple cell types. The effects of high-dose levocetirizine on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) were evaluated and the significance of serum IP3 level in the pathogenesis of CSU was studied.

Overall, 15 patients with refractory CSU were given oral levocetirizine 15 mg once daily for 7 days, and treatment efficacy was evaluated using the Urticaria Activity Score and by assessing the wheal-and-erythema reactions and itching. The serum concentration of IP3 at specific time points was also assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The results of the study showed that the mean serum concentration of IP3 was 43.54 ± 41.97 pg/mL before the treatment, after treatment it was 18.40 ± 17.53 pg/mL, and in a healthy control group, it was 1.31 ± 0.92 pg/mL. The mean concentration of IP3 was significantly greater before treatment as compared to after treatment. The level of IP3 in the patient group was significantly higher than that in the control group before and after treatment.

The study concluded that high-dose levocetirizine was shown to be effective in the treatment of CSU. The level of serum IP3 was certainly linked with CSU activity, which indicates that IP3 might play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CSU.

Source: Huang X, Li Z, Sun R. High-dose levocetirizine for the treatment of refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria and the effect on the serum inositol triphosphate level. J Int Med Res. 2019;47(9):4374-4379. doi:10.1177/0300060519857768