Effect of montelukast on the expression of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in children with acute bronchial asthma

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of montelukast on the expression of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in children with acute bronchial asthma. Fifty-six child patients with acute bronchial asthma treated in the Department of Pneumology at the Shangluo Central Hospital were selected and randomly divided into the control group (n=28) and treatment group (n=28). The control group was treated with the conventional therapy of bronchial asthma, while the treatment group received montelukast on the basis of the control group for 7 days. The clinical symptoms, lung function and proportion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral T lymphocyte subsets in patients in the two groups were observed. Moreover, the levels of inflammatory factors and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in peripheral blood in both groups were detected. The effective treatment rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and 25% peak expiratory flow (PEF25) in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The proportions of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the two groups after drug therapy were significantly increased. The proportion and content per unit volume of peripheral CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the treatment group were obviously higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-6 in peripheral blood in the two groups were significantly decreased. However, the levels of transferrin-γ (TFN-γ) and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.01). The IgE level in the treatment group was also significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). In conclusion, montelukast can regulate the T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 balance, increase the expression of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, and improve the airway inflammation caused by acute bronchial asthma and the clinical symptoms and lung function of patients with acute bronchial asthma.

The Association between Allergic Rhinitis and COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor antagonist, may act as an antiviral agent by modulating innate and adaptive immunity [33]. It reduces mucus secretion from respiratory glands, a ects lymphocyte activation and di erentiation, and blocks the expression of in ammatory proteins in the lung by inhibiting type-2 T-helper ( 2) cytokines [interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13], especially in eosinophils [34,35]. Levocetirizine, a third-generation antihistamine, and montelukast exhibit remarkable synergistic anti-in ammatory activity across a spectrum of signaling proteins, cell adhesion molecules, and leucocytes and eosinophil and neutrophil quantity and migration, which may prevent the progression of the disease from mild to moderate to severe and reduce both morbidity and mortality [36].…”

Possible Therapeutic Potential of Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist Montelukast in Treatment of SARS-CoV-2-Induced COVID-19

“…In line with this observation, a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial is currently underway using an IL-6 receptor-specific antibody, tocilizumab (https:// www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04317092). Since montelukast has been shown to reduce IL-6 levels in clinical studies with bronchial asthma patients [51], its therapeutic use in COVID-19 patients may improve the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Montelukast also controls the frequency and severity of wheezing in patients with clinical episodic wheezing, caused by influenza virus, corona virus, and adenovirus [50,54].…”

“…In addition to this, montelukast increased antioxidant enzyme levels (glutathione and superoxide dismutase) and lowered mortality in animal models of lung inflammation [46, 50]. The activation of eosinophils and lung epithelial cells can increase the synthesis of CysLTs [51]. Furthermore, Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-5 activate eosinophil release and can upregulate synthesis and release of CysLTs, respectively.…”

Role of Montelukast in Improving Quality of Life in Patients with Persistent Asthma

“…In a recent Chinese study, montelukast played a substantial role in regulating Th1/Th2 cell balance and increased the expression of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells. This aided in the alleviation of airway inflammation and helped in improving the clinical symptoms as well as the lung function of these patients [19].…”