leukotriene-b4 and danthron

The effect of anthralin and its oxidation products danthrone and anthralin-dimer on the production of 5-lipoxygenase products (5-HETE, leukotriene B4, omega-oxidized LTB4) by Ca-ionophore A 23187-stimulated human neutrophils has been studied in vitro. Anthralin exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory activity showing 50% inhibition at 7 microM with 10(7) neutrophils. Inhibitory effects strongly depended upon cell densities and maximal inhibition occurred at low cell concentrations, whereas inhibitory rates of anthralin were low at high cell densities. Inhibition of leukotriene production persisted after washing of anthralin-treated neutrophils. Also, with increasing amounts of arachidonic acid as substrate only slight changes of inhibitory activity were detected, indicating a noncompetitive way of action. In addition to the inhibition of leukotriene-production, the formation of omega-OH-LTB4 from LTB4 as well as omega-COOH-LTB4 from omega-OH-LTB4 was inhibited with IC50 (half maximum inhibition concentration) near 4.4 microM and 2.2 microM, respectively. In contrast to anthralin, both metabolites--danthrone as well as anthralin-dimer--did not show any effect on leukotriene production and omega-oxidation even at high concentrations (up to 70 microM and 44 microM, respectively).

Topics: Anthralin; Anthraquinones; Arachidonate Lipoxygenases; Arachidonic Acid; Arachidonic Acids; Calcimycin; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Leukotriene B4; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Neutrophils; Oxidation-Reduction

Treatment of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) with anthralin (0.2-50 micrograms/ml) results in dose-dependent inhibition of nondirected as well as directed migration (chemotaxis) against the synthetic tripeptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), the complement fragment C5a and leukotriene B4. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) pretreated with anthralin at concentrations which inhibit cell motility also show a dose-dependent inhibition of superoxide anion generation. In contrast to anthralin two derivatives (danthrone and anthralin dimer) were ineffective. Specific binding of [3H]FMLP to neutrophil membrane receptors was impaired by anthralin at concentrations 5-10 fold higher than those which were inhibitory for cell function. Release of beta-glucuronidase from azurophilic (lysosomal) granules provoked by various chemotaxins in the presence of cytochalasin B was not affected by anthralin over a wide range of concentrations. Also there were no signs of cytotoxicity e.g., leakage of cytoplasmatic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) caused by anthralin, These data indicate that neutrophil functions may become substantially altered by anthralin. The effective dosages correspond to concentrations obtained in vivo after local application. Danthrone as well as anthralin dimer, known to be clinically ineffective, showed no effects upon PMN function. It is suggested that anthralin via a free radical mechanism alters sensitive sites at or in the cellular membrane including receptors.

Topics: Anthracenes; Anthralin; Anthraquinones; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Complement C5; Complement C5a; Cytoplasmic Granules; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glucuronidase; Humans; Leukotriene B4; N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; Neutrophils; Receptors, Immunologic; Superoxides