Effects of montelukast on subepithelial/peribronchial fibrosis in a murine model of ovalbumin induced chronic asthma.

Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is used commercially as a maintenance treatment for asthma and to relieve allergic symptoms. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of montelukast against the airway inflammation and fibrosis using a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA) induced chronic asthma. The animals received OVA challenge three times a week for 4 weeks. Montelukast (30 mg/kg) was administrated orally once a day for 4 weeks. The administration of montelukast caused a reduction in elevated interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, eotaxin, immunoglobulin (Ig), inflammatory cell infiltration into the airways, and mucus production after repeated OVA challenges. To investigate the antifibrotic mechanism of montelukast, we examined the expression of profibrotic mediators, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and Smad3 proteins in the lung tissue using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The administration of montelukast reduced the overexpression of profibrotic proteins in the lung tissue, which was confirmed by immnunohistochemistry. These results are consistent with a histopathological examination of lung tissue with Masson's trichrome stain. In conclusion, the administration of montelukast reduced airway inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis by reducing the release of Th2 cytokines and the expression of VEGF, TGF-β1/Smad3 in the lung tissue.

Shin IS ，Jeon WY ，Shin HK ，Lee MY ... -  《-》

The effects of low dose leukotriene receptor antagonist therapy on airway remodeling and cysteinyl leukotriene expression in a mouse asthma model.

Muz MH ，Deveci F ，Bulut Y ，Ilhan N ，Yekeler H ，Turgut T ... -  《EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE》

Bangpungtongseong-san, a traditional herbal medicine, attenuates chronic asthmatic effects induced by repeated ovalbumin challenge.

Lee MY ，Shin IS ，Jeon WY ，Shin N ，Shin HK ... -  《-》

A role for cysteinyl leukotrienes in airway remodeling in a mouse asthma model.

Henderson WR Jr ，Tang LO ，Chu SJ ，Tsao SM ，Chiang GK ，Jones F ，Jonas M ，Pae C ，Wang H ，Chi EY ... -  《AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE》

Geniposide inhibits airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of asthma.

Our group recently reported the strong anti-inflammatory effects of geniposide (Gen), a bioactive iridoid glucoside derived from gardenia jasminoides, in a mouse acute lung injury model. Herein, we hypothesized that Gen might also have potential therapeutic benefits in treatment of asthma, which was tested in a mouse model of ovalbumin (Ova)-induced allergic airway inflammation. Ova-sensitized and -challenged BALB/c mice, as compared with control animals, displayed airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion, and increased T help 2 (Th2)-associated cytokine and chemokine amounts, as well as serum Ova-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) level. Being compared with the Ova-induced hallmarks of asthma, intraperitoneal Gen treatment prevented eosinophilic pulmonary infiltration, attenuated the increases in interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and reduced eotaxin and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expression. Also, Gen significantly ameliorated the Ova-driven airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus hypersecretion, and allergen-specific IgE level, which are the cardinal pathophysiological symptoms in allergic airway diseases. In addition, the efficacy of Gen was comparable to that of dexamethasone (Dex), a currently available anti-asthmatic drug. Collectively, our findings reveal that the development of immunoregulatory strategies based on Gen may be considered as an effective adjuvant therapy for allergic asthma.

Deng Y ，Guan M ，Xie X ，Yang X ，Xiang H ，Li H ，Zou L ，Wei J ，Wang D ，Deng X ... -  《-》