ABSTRACT
Asthma is an obstructive airway disease characterized by inflamed airways, structural and physiological abnormalities in the airways, and shortness of breath. Montelukast (MK) and Prednisolone are anti-asthmatic drugs. In asthma patients, antioxidant enzymes activity is observed to be low because of the increased oxidative burden and this depletion of consumable antioxidants. This research aimed to determine and compare antioxidants levels in blood and lungs of asthma induced Sprague Dawley rats treated with montelukast and prednisolone. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 180-250 g were divided into two (2) main groups; the Control group and Test group. The test group was further divided into three (3) subgroups in which one group consisted of asthmatic rats which were not treated with anti-asthmatic drugs and the other two which were treated with anti-asthmatic drugs (Montelukast and Prednisolone). All the groups consisted of twenty (20) rats each (n=20). The control group received normal rat chow and water throughout the experimental period while the test groups were exposed to concentrations of Ovalbumin (OVA, egg albumin grade II) and aluminum hydroxide to induce asthma after which they were treated with Montelukast and Prednisolone. After confirmation of asthma in all test groups, treatment began with 3 mg/kg prednisolone (oral) and 10 mg/kg Montelukast. After administration, all animals were euthanized. Blood and tissue samples were collected for lipid profile determination. Antioxidant levels or markers of oxidative stress such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH), Catalase (CAT), Malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed in blood plasma. All the data obtained from the experiments were expressed as mean ± Standard Error of Mean (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed by two way analysis of variance (MIXED-ANOVA) for assessing differences amongst multiple groups, followed by Tukey's test using Graphpad Prism 10.0.3 software (Graphpad, San Diego, CA). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results showed a statistically significant decrease in total protein in the lungs in all groups compared to blood p<0.05, a statistically significant increase in superoxide dismutase in the lungs in all groups compared to blood p<0.05, a statistically significant increase in catalase in the lungs in all groups compared to blood p<0.05, a statistically significant increase in glutathione peroxidase in the lungs in all groups compared to blood p<0.05, a statistically significant increase in malondialdehyde in the lungs in negative control and montelukast groups compared to blood (p<0.05), but, no statistically significant difference in control and prednisolone groups (p>0.05) and finally a statistically significant decrease in glutathione in the lungs in control, negative control and prednisolone groups compared to blood (p<0.05), but, no statistically significant difference in montelukast group (p>0.05). This led to the conclusion that antioxidant levels specifically superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde were found to be higher in lungs than blood in asthma induced Sprague Dawley rat. Although total protein and glutathione were found to be higher in blood.
