Effect of montelukast on basophil releasability in patients with asthma.
BACKGROUND
The anti-inflammatory effect of montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in patients with bronchial asthma is not entirely clear. Basophils can release a variety of mediators, including histamine and leukotriens, which most likely play an active role in the late allergic response.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of montelukast (10 mg/day) on histamine and cysteinyl leukotriene release from basophils taken from 12 mild atopic asthmatic patients who took the drug for 4 weeks.


METHODS
Basophils were withdrawn at baseline, and after 48 hours, 1 week, and 4 weeks of therapy. Histamine was measured by a radioenzymatic method and leukotrienes by immunologic assay. Histamine and cysLT release was measured spontaneously and following stimulation with interleukin-3 and anti-immunoglobulin E. Spirometry and symptom score were measured before and during treatment.


RESULTS
During the treatment with montelukast there were no significant changes in spontaneous, IL-3 and anti-IgE-induced histamine release. cysLT release decreased significantly only after 4 weeks of treatment (from 2899 +/- 550 pg/ml at baseline to 2225 +/- 430 pg/ml at 4 weeks, P= 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Montelukast does not seem to affect the release of histamine from basophils but mildly inhibits the cysLT release seen after 4 weeks of treatment.
Sade
Kobi
K
Department of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Israel. kobi-sa@inter.net.il
Kivity
Shaye
S
Fireman
Elizabeth
E
Schwartz
Yehuda
Y
Kivity
Shmuel
S
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001491:Basophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D003545:Cysteine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011804:Quinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013440:Sulfides
D000085:Acetates; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D015289:Leukotrienes; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; C112381:cysteinyl-leukotriene; D006632:Histamine; D003545:Cysteine; C093875:montelukast