Endotoxin (LPS) can cause hepatocellular injury under several circumstances, and leukotrienes have been implicated as a contributing factor. Since ion channel activation has been associated with cytotoxicity, the aim of this study was to determine the circumstances under which LPS and/or leukotrienes activate ionic conductances in hepatocytes. LPS treatment of rats increased Cl- conductance in ...

We investigated the effects of exogenous leukotriene D4, synthesis inhibitors, and a leukotriene receptor antagonist upon chloralose anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, neonatal piglets with constant left pulmonary blood flow and upon piglets with uncontrolled pulmonary blood flow. Leukotriene D4 (100-10,000 ng, intravenously) caused dose-dependent increases in peak tracheal pressure, pulmon...

The extracellular calcium (Ca++) E dependency of the synthetic leukotrienes (LT) C4, D4 and E4 and inhibition of LTC4 by verapamil was demonstrated on guinea pig trachealis in vitro. LTC4 exhibited an intrinsic potency 170 X greater than histamine. Tension development by LTC4, D4 and E4 was equipotent at 2.5 mM (Ca++)E. Tension studies in 0.5 mM (Ca++)E indicate these three leukotrienes to be (...

Cultured endothelial cells from human umbilical cord labeled with [3H]20:4 release radiolabel when exposed to leukotrienes C or D (LTC or LTD). The major radiolabeled 20:4 metabolite recovered in the culture medium was prostacyclin. Both leukotrienes produced a dose-dependent synthesis of prostacyclin, with a maximal response at 10(-7) M leukotriene. LTC promoted a twofold greater response than...

We produced cerebral vasospasm in 29 dogs by the "two-hemorrhage" method of intracisternal injections, 2 days apart, of autogenous arterial blood. Leukotriene (LT) C4, LTD4, and LTE4 were purified from incubated basilar artery, medulla oblongata, hypothalamus, median eminence, and blood clot from around the basilar artery using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and the amoun...

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with widespread but variable airflow obstruction. The mechanisms that lead to airflow obstruction in asthma are bronchoconstriction, mucosal edema, increased secretion of mucus, and an inflammatory-cell infiltrate that is rich in eosinophils. Leukotrienes (LTs) B4, C4, D4, and E4 have been shown experimentally to play a role in each of...

disease in a patient who looks well, by aggressive treatment of mild or moderate attacks and by the standardization of a protocol for the management of these severe attacks." Of topical interest is the chapter on the role of the gastroenterologist with the HIV-infected patient. The author examines the responsibilities of the physician for managing the multiple clinical presentations, ranging fr...