Blood carnitine levels at allergic rhinitis and relation between symptoms

Allergic rhinitis is a common disorder affecting approximately 10-20% of the population. In developed countries the prevelance of alllergic rhinits is increasing like asthma. With several factors changes in dietary habits is held responsible about this increase. The aim of this study is investigate to realtionship of carnitine which the antioxidant propeties are demonstrated like vitamin E, vitamin C and carotenoids and relation with asthma symptoms has shown, with allergic rhinitis and alllergic rhinitis symptoms. The study was performed in 120 adult subjects. Control group (Group I) is after history, physical examination and skin prick test shown have not allergic rhinitis 40 healthy volunteers. All over; with history, physical examination and skin prick test diagnosis of allergic rhinitis set are the cases of 80 patients. Patients classified according to the ARIA classification, mild intermittent allergic rhinit (Grup II), moderate-severe intermittent allergic rhinit Grup III), milde persistent ve orta allergic rhinit (Grup IV) moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinit (Grup V). In patients IgE and plasma free carnitine levels have studied and evaluated the relationship between groups. IgE levels of patient groups(Group II, Group III, Group IV and Group V) were statistically significant difference from control group (p<0.001). However between patient groups were compared there was no significant difference. Compared carnitine levels Group V which symptoms of severe and continuous (moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis) carnitine levels compared to both the control group and the other groups of patients were statistically significantly lower (p<0.01). This study is the first which evaluate the relation between allergic rhnitis and carnitine. According to our results we believed that there is a negative correlation between the severity of symptoms of allergic rhinitis and plasma free carnitine levels. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of carnitine can be mentioned cause of this situation. Key Words: Allergic rhinitis, Carnitine, IgE