Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

The effect of montelukast on exhaled nitric oxide and lung function in asthmatic children 2 to 5 years old

Daniel A Straub1, Stefan Minocchieri, Alexander Moeller

  • 1Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zürich, Switzerland. daniel.straub@kispi.unizh.ch

Chest
|February 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Montelukast significantly reduced airway inflammation and improved lung function in preschool children with allergic asthma. This once-daily treatment offers a positive effect on respiratory health in young patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in preschool children.
  • Allergic asthma in young children requires effective treatment to manage airway inflammation and lung function.
  • Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a biomarker for airway inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of once-daily montelukast on exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels and lung function in preschool children diagnosed with asthma.
  • To assess the efficacy of montelukast in reducing airway inflammation and improving respiratory parameters in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 30 newly diagnosed preschool children (2-5 years) with asthma, a family history of asthma, and positive allergy tests.
  • Participants underwent a 1-week run-in period of montelukast, followed by 4 weeks of 4 mg daily montelukast treatment.
  • Measurements included exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and airway resistance before treatment, after the run-in, and after 4 weeks of treatment.

Main Results:

  • Montelukast treatment significantly reduced mean eNO levels from 33.1 ppb to 11.6 ppb (p < 0.001).
  • Airway resistance also significantly decreased after montelukast treatment, from 1.28 kPa/L/s to 1.15 kPa/L/s (p = 0.01).
  • No significant changes were observed in bronchodilator responsiveness after treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Once-daily montelukast demonstrates a positive effect on lung function in preschool children with allergic asthma.
  • Montelukast effectively reduces airway inflammation, as indicated by decreased eNO levels.
  • The findings support montelukast as a beneficial treatment for managing allergic asthma in young children.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines01:24

Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines

Theophylline, a member of the methylxanthine class of bronchodilators, has long been used in asthma management. While its exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, it is believed to have multiple effects on various cellular processes.
Theophylline is thought to inhibit phosphodiesterase enzymes, increasing intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This rise in cAMP and cGMP concentrations stimulates cardiac function,...
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Antiasthma Drugs: &#946;2-Adrenoceptor Agonists01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists

Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...