Pranlukast protects leukotriene C4- and D4-induced epithelial cell impairment of the nasal mucosa in vitro

To investigate the effect of pranlukast on leukotriene- induced airway mucosal epithelial dysfunction, samples of human nasal mucosa obtained during surgery for facial trauma were exposed to leukotriene C4 and/or D4 and observed on a TV screen magnified x 2,500. Leukotriene C4- and D4-induced ciliary inhibition and delayed mucosal surface alterations appeared several hours later. Pranlukast prevented both the mucosal epithelial cell dysfunction and the delayed epithelial cell alteration.