EFFECTS OF SALBUTAMOL, PREDNISOLONE AND MONTELUKAST ON SERUM ELECTROLYTE, UREA AND CREATININE IN ASTHMA-INDUCED FEMALE SPRAGUE- DAWLEY RATS

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, and chest tightness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of salbutamol, prednisolone, and montelukast on serum electrolyte, urea, and creatinine in asthma-induced female Sprague-Dawley rats. Methodology: Sixty-four (64) rats weighing 120-250 g were randomly assigned into eight groups (n = 8 per group): The negative control group (no asthma, untreated), positive control group (asthma-induced, untreated), and six treatment groups (groups 3-8) induced with asthma, receiving salbutamol (1 mg/kg), montelukast (10 mg/kg), prednisolone (3 mg/kg), Salbutamol/Prednisolone (1 mg/kg + 3 mg/kg), montelukast/prednisolone(10 mg/kg + 3mg/kg), Salbutamol/Montelukast (1 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg). Groups 2-8 were sensitized via intraperitoneal injections of 1 mg ovalbumin (OVA), emulsified in 20 mg aluminum hydroxide (in 0.9% saline) on days 1 and 7 of the third week. From day 21, sensitized rats were challenged by exposure to aerosolized 1% OVA solution for 15 minutes per session, twice weekly for 28 days. Treatment continued throughout the challenge period. At the end of the treatment period, animals were anesthetized, and blood was collected for biochemical analysis. All data were expressed as mean ± Standard Error of Mean (SEM) and analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, using Graphpad Prism 10.2.2 software. Results showed a statistically significant increase in serum urea and creatinine in the prednisolone/montelukast-treated group compared with negative control (p<0.05), whereas prednisolone alone significantly decreased serum creatinine and potassium levels (p<0.05). No significant changes in serum urea, creatinine, potassium, sodium or chloride were observed in the salbutamol, montelukast, and their combination groups compared with the negative control (p>0.05). Compared with the positive control, several treatments, including montelukast, prednisolone, salbutamol/montelukast, and prednisolone/montelukast, significantly decreased serum urea, while prednisolone/montelukast, also increased sodium and decreased chloride levels (p<0.05). These findings suggest that prednisolone, particularly in combination with montelukast, can modulate renal function and eletrolyte balance, whereas salbutamol and montelukast alone exert minimal effects on kidney parameters.