Montelukast and Nasal Epithelial Cell Inflammatory Responses in Asthma and Rhinitis

University of Aberdeen

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Asthma

Allergic Rhinitis

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other

Industry

Identifiers

NCT01230437

MT091 RGD 1265 (Other Identifier)

MSD-36765-IISP

Details and patient eligibility

About

The airways of the lung are lined by specialised cells called airway epithelial cells. As well as being at the interface between the lungs and the air we breathe; airway epithelial cell (AEC) function is altered in people with respiratory diseases such as asthma. AEC secrete many mediators that contribute to asthma symptoms and these also contribute to asthmatic inflammation in the lungs. The study of such cells is difficult because of their location deep in the lungs. Nasal airway epithelial cells provide a useful and easily accessible model of model of lower airway cells. This study will examine whether the asthma medication Singulair (montelukast) can inhibit the inflammatory secretions of nasal AEC of asthmatic patents who also have allergic rhinitis compared with patients who have asthma alone. We will also examine if montelukast has differential modulating effects in these two patient groups.

Full description

Hypothesis

The inflammatory secretory profile of nasal airway epithelial cells (NEC) cultured from asthmatics with concomitant allergic rhinitis (AR) will differ from that of NEC from patients with asthma alone. Treatment (in vitro and in vivo) with montelukast may have differential modulating effects in these two patient groups.

For the primary objective of this proposal we will use nasal AEC from asthmatics with or without concomitant AR as to ascertain differences in pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production between these two groups and determine whether in vitro treatment with montelukast has a differential modulating effect on NEC secretion. In the secondary pilot study any modulating effects by montelukast on AEC secretion in vitro will be correlated with any in vivo response to montelukast withdrawal. This sub study will provide pilot data indicating whether in vivo response to montelukast can be predicted from in vitro effects on NEC.

Enrollment

40 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

10 to 60 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

stable physician confirmed mild/moderate asthma (Steps 1-4 of BTS/SIGN guidelines <10 pack-year smoking histories Currently taking montelukast with a documented clinical history of benefit

Exclusion criteria