[Effects of montelukast on apoptosis and Fas mRNA expression of eosinophils in airway of asthmatic guinea pigs].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of montelukast on apoptosis and Fas mRNA expression of eosinophils in airway of asthmatic guinea pigs.


METHODS
Experimental asthma model of guinea pigs was induced by ovalbumin. The eosinophils in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were separated by density gradient centrifugation. The apoptosis of eosinophils was labeled by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. Fas mRNA expression of eosinophils was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
After treatment with montelukast, the number of eosinophils in BALF of asthmatic guinea pigs decreased significantly. The apoptosis index as well as Fas mRNA expression of eosinophils were elevated significantly. There were statistical differences between the therapeutic group and the model group.


CONCLUSIONS
Apoptosis of eosinophils is highly correlated with the increased expression of Fas mRNA. Enhancing expression of Fas mRNA and promoting apoptosis of eosinophils subsequentely may be an important mechanism for montelukast to antagonize airway inflammation of asthma.
Wu
Yu-qing
YQ
Medical and Pharmacological Institute of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China.
Zhou
Cheng-hua
CH
Zhang
Hong-quan
HQ
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010047:Ovalbumin; D011804:Quinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013440:Sulfides; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D000085:Acetates; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D011804:Quinolines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013440:Sulfides; D019014:fas Receptor; D010047:Ovalbumin; C093875:montelukast