EFFECT OF MONTELUKAST AND HYDROCORTISONE ON THE LIVER FUNCTION

ABSTRACT

Asthma is a long-term inflammatory condition of the airways that causes a variety of symptoms due to the irritation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Montelukast and hydrocortisone on liver function, liver antioxidant levels, and histology, in order to determine which medication may have a more favorable effect on the liver. Methodology: Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 180-250g were divided into two main groups; the Control group and Test group. The test group was further divided into three subgroups treated with anti-asthmatic drugs. The control group received normal rat chow and water throughout the experiment 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 hydrocortisone and montelukast. All experimental groups (2, 3, and 4) were sensitized 1mg OVA and 200mg aluminum hydroxide dissolved in 0.9 saline on day 0 and 7. After confirmation of asthma in all test groups, treatment began with 5mg/kg hydrocortisone (i.p) and 10mg/kg Montelukast. They were challenged with OVA (1% w/v, dissolved in 0.9 saline) twice weekly from day 7 of treatment until the last day. For the challenge, rats were placed in a plastic chamber measuring 70cm in diameter and 40cm in length connected to a Medel family nebulizer with aerosol delivery of 0.28ml/min. At the end of drug administration, all animals were euthanized, blood and tissue samples collected for biomarker assay and histology. All data obtained from the experiments are expressed as mean ± Standard Error of Mean (SEM) and statistical analysis performed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for assessing differences amongst multiple groups, followed by Tukey's test using Graphpad Prism 10.0.3 software. The result of the experiment showed that there were statistically significant differences in liver enzymes and antioxidant levels among Montelukast and hydrocortisone treatment on asthma induced spraguedawley rats.