SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007

September 7, 2007

Effects of montelukast and theophylline therapy on cardiovascular risk factors in asthmatics.

Summary
Background - Recent studies have suggested a role of the 5-lipooxygenase/leukotriene pathway in cardio-vascular disease (CVD).

Findings - Allayee et al compared the effects of treatment for 6 months with: a) montelukast (M) 10 mg/day; b) theophylline (T) 300 mg/day or c) placebo (P) in adults with moderate persistent asthma.

The found that serum CRP levels were significantly lower in M treated than P treated patients. Serum levels of "bad" lipids were also lower in the M treated and T treated patients. However, this effect was seen mainly in those also using inhaled corticosteroid therapy.

Reference
Chest 2007;July 23, E pub

Editor's Comments
These findings are of interest. However, treatment of a larger group of asthmatics for a longer time will be needed to see whether the incidence of adverse cardiac events is really reduced in those asthmatics treated with M or T.

 

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