Effect of montelukast on the expression of neurokinin-1 receptor in young asthmatic rats with airway remodeling

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of montelukast on the expression of sensory neuropeptide (neurokinin-1) receptor (NK1R) in young asthmatic rats with airway remodeling. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=8), asthma (n=8), and montelukast groups (n=8). A rat model of asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) inhalation. Normal saline was used instead of sensitizing solution and 1% OVA in the control group. Each rat in the montelukast group was given montelukast (15 mg/kg) by gavage 2 h before OVA inhalation. All rats received their respective treatments for 8 weeks. Immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of NK1R in asthmatic airway remolding and to evaluate the effect of montelukast on NK1R expression. RESULTS: The asthma group showed significantly higher mRNA and protein expression levels of NK1R than the control group (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of NK1R in the montelukast group were significantly lower than in the asthma group (P<0.05), but significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Rats with induced asthma have upregulated NK1R expression in the airway, and montelukast can downregulate NK1R expression during airway remodeling.