Document Type	Master's Dissertation
Author	Gandy, Justin John
URN	etd-04292008-095801
Document Title	An evaluation of the anti-allergic properties of potassium humate
Degree	MSc (Pharmacology)
Department	Pharmacology
Supervisor	Advisor Name Title Prof C E Medlen Supervisor
Keywords	neutrophils inflammation humic acid eosinophils allergic rhinitis cytokines basophils
Date	2007-09-07
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The objective was to establish the safety and therapeutic efficacy of oral potassium humate in reducing the signs and symptoms of hayfever. Potassium humate was randomly assigned to 40 atopic patients with acute symptoms of hayfever. Blood and nasal samples were used to determine the safety and the effects of potassium humate on basophil activation, cytokine levels and eosinophil migration. A skin prick test was used to determine its anti-allergic effects. An in vitro neutrophil adhesion was also used. A significant decrease in the skin prick test results and eosinophil counts was observed. No significant differences were observed with regard to neutrophil adhesion nor were any differences observed with regard to the stimulation of basophils. Decreases were observed in the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-8 and IL-1â after treatment, although not reaching significance. This study confirmed that this product possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties possibly due to a decreased recruitment of eosinopils to the inflammatory site the recruitment and activation of eosinophils by decreasing the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-8 and IL-1â, although not reaching statistical significance. © University of Pretoria 2007 E792 AG
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