Background: Many cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Cysteinyl leukotrienes and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha are the most important among these cytokines. The beneficial effects of a cysteinyl leukotriene antagonist (montelukast) and two TNF-alpha blocker compounds (etanercept and infliximab) on airway inflammation were evaluated and compared in an asthma model instituting an ovalbumin (OVA) challenge. Methods: Twelve-week-old BALB/c (H-2d/d) female rats (n=18) were allocated to five groups, specified as a phosphate-buffered saline control (group I, n=6); asthma induced with OVA (group II, n=6); asthma induced with OVA and treated with etanercept (group III, n=6); asthma induced with OVA and treated with infliximab (group IV, n=6); and asthma induced with OVA and treated with montelukast (group V, n=6). The rats were executed on the 28th day of the study. Lung pathological scoring was performed. Results: The severity of lung damage was found to be reduced significantly in the rats in which asthma was induced with OVA that were treated with montelukast and TNF-alpha blocker compounds (etanercept, infliximab). When compared with the untreated group, montelukast and TNF-alpha blockers (etanercept, infliximab) significantly reduced the inflammatory cells around the bronchi and bronchioles and reduced inflammation of the alveolar wall and alveolar wall thickness (p<0.05). Peribronchial smooth muscle hypertrophy, edema, and evidence of other signs of inflammation were reduced in the treatment groups that received etanercept, infliximab, and montelukast. Histopathological and biochemical (TNF-alpha and IgE) findings were equally improved in all treatment groups (p=0.951). Conclusion: Both montelukast and the TNF-alpha blockers reduced airway inflammation and exhibited the same beneficial effects on histopathological findings during the course of asthma.

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