Abstract | BACKGROUND: Recent studies have implicated the 5-lipoxygenase/ leukotriene (LT) pathway in cardiovascular disease (CVD), which may have important implications for asthmatics because several drugs that target this pathway are currently used to treat asthma. We sought to determine whether montelukast, a cysteinyl LT antagonist, and low-dose theophylline affected serum inflammatory and lipid CVD risk factors in a recently completed clinical trial in asthmatic patients. METHODS: RESULTS: Patients with moderate-to-severe asthma receiving montelukast (n = 60) had significantly lower serum CRP compared to placebo (n = 73) after 1 month (1.7 mg/L vs 3.2 mg/L, respectively; p < 0.006) and 6 months of treatment (2.3 mg/L vs 3.5 mg/L, respectively; p < 0.04). At both time points, serum levels of all lipids were also significantly lower in the montelukast and theophylline groups compared to placebo, but these effects were primarily observed in individuals who were also receiving inhaled corticosteroids as monotherapy for asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Asthmatic patients receiving montelukast and, to some extent, low-dose theophylline have lower levels of CVD-associated inflammatory biomarkers and lipid levels. These observations suggest these asthma medications may have some beneficial value in asthmatics with respect to CVD risk, although the effects on HDL-C levels should also be taken into consideration.
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Authors | Hooman Allayee, Jaana Hartiala, Won Lee, Margarete Mehrabian, Charles G Irvin, David V Conti, John J Lima |
Journal | Chest
(Chest)
Vol. 132
Issue 3
Pg. 868-74
(Sep 2007)
ISSN: 0012-3692 [Print] United States |
PMID | 17646220
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Acetates
- Anti-Asthmatic Agents
- Biomarkers
- Cyclopropanes
- Interleukin-6
- Lipids
- Quinolines
- Sulfides
- C-Reactive Protein
- Theophylline
- montelukast
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Topics |
- Acetates
(administration & dosage)
- Adult
- Anti-Asthmatic Agents
(administration & dosage)
- Asthma
(blood, drug therapy)
- Biomarkers
(blood)
- C-Reactive Protein
(metabolism)
- Cardiovascular Diseases
(blood, etiology)
- Cyclopropanes
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Interleukin-6
(blood)
- Lipids
(blood)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Quinolines
(administration & dosage)
- Risk Factors
- Sulfides
- Theophylline
(administration & dosage)
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