EFFECT OF MONTELUKAST AND PREDNISOLONE ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND PULSE RATE

ABSTRACT

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by airway obstruction, chronic airway inflammation and increased mucus production, often leading to increased blood pressure and pulse rate. Corticosteroids like prednisolone which decreases airway inflammation have been a fundamental component of asthma management, while montelukast an orally administered, selective cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist used for long term maintenance of asthma in reducing eosinophillic inflammation in asthma have gained recognition as adjunctive therapies. High blood pressure in man is indicated when BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg. Asthmatics have higher risk in developing high blood pressure due to inflammation, stress and some medications such as corticosteroid. The aim of this study is to examine the potential effect of montelukast and prednisolone on blood pressure and pulse rate in asthma induced Sprague Dawley rats. This study was carried out on 20 adult female Sprague Dawley rats which were divided into two main groups (control and test group). Control group was subdivided into: Group 1 control - not induced with asthma, Group 2 negative control – induced with asthma but not treated. While the test group was divided into: Group 3 (asthma induced and treated with montelukast) and Group 4 (asthma induced and treated with prednisolone) with 5 rats per group. Ashthma was induced by sensitizing the rats with 1 mg OVA and 200 mg aluminum hydroxide dissolved in 0.9 saline on day 0 and 7, challenged with OVA (1% w/v, adsorbed in 0.9 saline) twice weekly from day 7 of treatment until the last day using a Medel family nebulizer. During the period of challenge the test groups were treated with 5 mg/kg prednisolone and 10 mg/kg montelukast. Blood pressure and pulse rate were measured on the last day of treatment using the MRBP system. The result showed significantly difference in systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure and pulse rate showing a significant increase in montelukast and prednisolone when compared to the control group. Conclusively, this study showed that both montelukast and prednisolone influenced blood pressure in asthma, prednisolone had more increased in blood pressure thus, having more negative effect therefore it is important for individuals taking prednisolone to monitor their blood pressure regularly.