Abstract
Objective: Montelukast (brand name: Singulair), which is used for treatment of chronic asthma, is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. The psychiatric side effects of montelukast use in asthma patients are controversial. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of montelukast treatment on depression behavior in both healthy and asthmatic rats.
Method: 50 wistar albino female rats, of between 150 and 250 g in weight, were used in this study. The study was conducted with two groups: Group I: healthy group; including control, asthma, and montelukast-treated asthma subgroups (n=20) and Group II: asthmatic group including control, asthma, and montelukast-treated asthma subgroups (n=30). The bronchial asthma model was employed for all the rats in the asthmatic group. In this model, the animals were sensitized by giving ovalbumin intraperitoneally and they were also provoked by breathing ovalbumin. Montelukast was given to the rats intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 10 days in montelukast-treated subgroups of both groups. A forced swimming test was used to determine the effect of montelukast treatment on depression behavior.
Results: In the healthy rats (Group I), immobility time increased in montelukast-treated asthmatic rats compared to the control subgroup (p<0.05). In the asthmatic group (Group II), immobility time was not statistically significantly in saline-treated asthmatic rats compared to the healthy control subgroup (p>0.05). However, in this group (Group II), immobility time was higher in montelukast-treated asthmatic rats compared to saline treated asthmatic rats (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Montelukast treatment causes depression behavior in both healthy and asthmatic rats.

Key words: Montelukast, depression, forced swimming test, rat