ABSTRACT
Asthma, a clinical condition characterized by airway inflammation and hyper-reactivity, with its primary effects on the respiratory system but also has secondary effects on the liver. This study aimed to determine the effects of Montelukast and Prednisolone on liver functions and antioxidants level in asthma-induced Sprague Dawley rats. Twenty (20) female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Control, “Asthmatic not treated”, “Asthmatic and treated with Montelukast”, “Asthmatic and treated with Prednisolone”. All test groups were induced with asthma, using 1mg OVA and 200mg aluminum hydroxide dissolved in 0.9 saline on day 0 and 7 for sensitization, and challenged with OVA (1% w/v, adsorbed in 0.9 saline) twice weekly from day 7 of treatment until the last day. After confirmation of asthma in all tests group, they treatment groups received Montelukast (10mg/kg/day) and Prednisolone (2mg/kg/day) for four (4) weeks. Liver function markers such as Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and albumin, with antioxidant parameters; Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Glutathione (GSH)) were assessed using standard biochemical assays. The results obtained revealed: no significant increase/decrease in liver function markers in the “Asthmatic not treated” (negative control) group compared to the Control group except from ALT that showed a significant decrease; significant decrease in ALT, AST and total bilirubin with no significant effects in ALP and albumin in “Asthmatic treated with montelukast” group compared to control group and no significant effects in liver function markers but a significant decrease in total bilirubin in “Asthmatic treated with Prednisolone” group compared to control group. The Total Antioxidant Capacity was significantly reduced in the “Asthma not treated” group compared to the control group, indicating increased oxidative stress. Montelukast and Prednisolone treatment administered to the test groups both results in a significant effect on antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx and GSH) activities. In conclusion, Montelukast and Prednisolone are effective antiasthmatic drugs, in this study, montelukast shows greater hepatic effects compared to prednisolone by the reduction of liver function markers, whereas, both treatments demonstrated great effects on antioxidants positively which abrogated oxidative stress in asthma-induced female Sprague Dawley rats.
