Montelukast Improves Urinary Bladder Function After Complete Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Urology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently causes severe bladder dysfunction, impacting quality of life.
• Neuroinflammation in the lower urinary tract (LUT) is a suspected driver of neurogenic bladder dysfunction and fibrosis post-SCI.
• Leukotrienes are potent inflammatory mediators implicated in SCI-related LUT pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of early montelukast (MLK) administration.
• To assess MLK's effects on LUT function and structure following severe SCI in a rat model.
• To determine if MLK can mitigate SCI-induced bladder dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Lewis rats (female, n=50) underwent T9 spinal cord transection and received a bladder catheter.
• Daily oral montelukast (MLK) treatment commenced on day one post-injury.
• Bladder and locomotor function were monitored, with subsequent histological and immunohistochemical analysis of bladder tissue.

Main Results:

• Clinically relevant MLK concentrations were achieved in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid post-SCI.
• Montelukast administration significantly improved bladder functionality in SCI rats.
• No significant impact of MLK on smooth muscle alignment or uroepithelial integrity was observed at this early time point.

Conclusions:

• Early, continuous oral MLK treatment shows promise in preserving LUT function after SCI.
• This pilot study provides initial evidence for MLK's potential in improving tissue integrity post-SCI.
• Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms of MLK in SCI-related bladder dysfunction.