The effects of methylprednisolone, montelukast and indomethacine in experimental otitis media with effusion

Abstract

Objectives The present study aimed to investigate the effects of indomethacine, montelukast and methylprednisolone in management of experimental otitis media with effusion. Methods Forty Wistar albino rats of which the weights ranged between 310 and 370 g were included in this study. Middle ear effusion was created by transtympanic histamine injection. The presence of effusion was confirmed by otomicroscopic examination. Thirty-seven rats with effusion were divided into 4 groups (methylprednisolone, montelukast, indomethacine and saline-control groups). All agents were administered for a period of consecutive 10 days. At the 11th days of administration, the recovery of effusion was confirmed by otomicroscopic examination. Tympanic bullae of the rats were removed and histopathological examinations were carried out. In the histopathological examination, the neutrophil leukocytes accumulated in the middle ear submucosa were counted. Results The mean numbers of submucosal neutrophils in the methylprednisolone, montelukast, indomethacine, and saline groups were 24.6 ± 8.1, 54.1 ± 6.2, 52.3 ± 7.3, 55.7 ± 8.3, respectively. The otomicroscopic recovery rates of effusion in the methylprednisolone, montelukast, indomethacine, and saline groups were 18/18 (100%), 8/18 (44%), 2/14 (14%), 2/18 (11%) respectively. Conclusions Methylprednisolone and montelukast ameliorate the middle ear effusion. However, only methylprednisolone reduces the submucosal infiltration of the neutrophil leukocytes which are the most evident cell of inflammatory process. Montelukast is effective in the resolution of experimental otitis media with effusion.