Suppression of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 following montelukast treatment in childhood asthma.
BACKGROUND
Montelukast and ketotifen are commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory medications used in the treatment of childhood asthma.


METHODS
To investigate the modulation effect of montelukast and ketotifen, the levels of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were analyzed in a group of 30 children with mild persistent asthma.


RESULTS
Patients on montelukast therapy for 8 weeks had significantly decreased levels of eNO and plasma MMP-9, which were associated with improved symptoms and enhanced peak expiratory flow but not significantly associated with increased level of tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). In contrast, treatment with ketotifen produced no significant changes in these parameters until 4-6 weeks into the therapy and no effect on plasma MMP-9.


CONCLUSIONS
Leukotriene antagonists, such as montelukast, may be better non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for preventing airway inflammation in mild childhood asthma.
Department of Pathology, Chi-Mei Medical Center and Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Shih-Sung
SS
Chuang
Chih-Hsing
CH
Hung
Yi-Ming
YM
Hua
Chiung-Hsi
CH
Tien
Kuender D
KD
Yang
Yuh-Jyh
YJ
Jong
Shih-Hsien
SH
Hsu
Chang-Shen
CS
Lin
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D001944:Breath Tests; D002648:Child; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011804:Quinolines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013440:Sulfides; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood
D000085:Acetates; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; C093875:montelukast; D007665:Ketotifen