Immune mediators in allergic rhinitis and sleep

OBJECTIVE: Our study goal was to examine polysomnography, indices of sleep and allergy, and serum and nasal cytokines; in allergic and nonallergic subjects. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In this descriptive, exploratory study, 4 allergic and 4 nonallergic subjects underwent 2 nights of polysomnographic recording with serial measurements of cytokines and completed measures,of sleep quality and allergic symptoms. RESULTS: Three serum cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-4, and IL-10) were higher in allergic subjects and were termed proallergic. Three serum cytokines; (IL-1ra, IL-2, and IL-12) were higher in nonallergic subjects and were termed allergy inhibitory. Proallergic serum cytokines correlated with increased latency to rapid eye movement sleep, decreased time in rapid eye movement sleep, and decreased latency to sleep onset. Low levels of allergy-inhibitory serum cytokines were associated with increased allergic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in, serum cytokines between allergic and nonallergic individuals are associated with variations in polysomnography and allergic symptoms. SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding these mechanisms may suggest novel approaches to alleviating drowsiness and other symptoms in allergic patients.