title: The effect of montelukast on bronchial hyperreactivity and lung function in asthmatic children aged 6-13 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cysteinyl leukotrienes have been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The effect of the leukotriene receptor antagonist, montelukast, on bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) as measured by the methacholine challenge test in school childre in has not been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of montelukast (Singulair) on BHR measured by methacholine challenge and lung function tests in Thai asthmatic children aged 6-13 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study performed in 29 mild to moderate persistent asthmatic children aged 6-13 years. Each child received crossover treatment with 6 weeks of montelukast (5 mg/day) and 6 weeks of placebo separated by a two-week washout period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The improvement of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC after 6 weeks of treatment wa significantly higher in montelukast group compared to those of placebo group (p < 0.05) After 6 weeks of treatment, mean PC20 (+/- SEM in the placebo group (5.7 +/- 1.41 mg/ml) was lower than in montelukast group (6.8 +/- 1.7 mg/ml) but there was no significant difference (p = 0.79).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Montelukast significantly improved FEV1 and FEV1/FVC but not BHR in mild to moderate persistent asthmatic children aged 6-13 years after the 6 weeks of treatment.
authors: Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. nualanongv@yahoo.com
authors: Nualanong
authors: N
authors: Visitsunthorn
authors: Varakorn
authors: V
authors: Chirdjirapong
authors: Satit
authors: S
authors: Santadilog
authors: Panjama
authors: P
authors: Pajarn
authors: Orathai
authors: O
authors: Jirapongsananuruk
authors: Chulaluk
authors: C
authors: Komoltri
authors: Pakit
authors: P
authors: Vichyanon
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011804:Quinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013440:Sulfides; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; C093875:montelukast