Montelukast Influence on Lung in Experimental Diabetes

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Diabetology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus can lead to significant lung complications, including fibrosis and lesions.
• Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) play a role in inflammatory processes, potentially contributing to diabetic lung damage.
• Montelukast (MK), a selective cysLT1 receptor antagonist, is used to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effect of montelukast on lung lesions and fibrosis in a rat model of experimental diabetes.
• To evaluate the impact of montelukast on oxidative stress markers in diabetic lungs.

Main Methods:

• Experimental diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using streptozotocin.
• Rats were divided into four groups: control, diabetes (STZ), diabetes + montelukast (STZ+MK), and montelukast alone.
• Lung fibrosis, lesion scores, wet/dry weight ratio, and serum markers of oxidative stress (SOD, MDA, TAS) were assessed after 8 weeks.

Main Results:

• Montelukast significantly reduced pulmonary fibrosis and lung lesion scores in diabetic rats (p < 0.01).
• The lung wet/dry weight ratio was decreased by montelukast treatment.
• Montelukast administration increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAS) levels, while decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in diabetic rats.

Conclusions:

• Montelukast effectively mitigates lung lesions and fibrosis associated with experimental diabetes.
• Blocking cysLT1 receptors with montelukast demonstrates a protective effect on diabetic lungs.
• These findings suggest that leukotrienes are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic lung complications.