5-hydroxy-6-8-11-14-eicosatetraenoic-acid and Ascites

Ascites was collected from six patients with liver cirrhosis and the cells isolated. These cells, mainly macrophages, were labelled with 14C-arachidonic acid and stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187. The metabolites formed were separated by HPLC. The main substances formed by the ascites cells were leukotriene B4, 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14 eicosatetraenoic acid and leukotriene C4. Smaller amounts of thromboxane B2, 12-hydroxy-5,8,10 heptodecatrienoic acid and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha were isolated. Human peritoneal macrophages are therefore capable of producing leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Production of these substances might play a role in some of the complications of patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites.

Topics: Arachidonic Acid; Arachidonic Acids; Ascites; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; In Vitro Techniques; Leukotriene B4; Liver Cirrhosis; Prostaglandins; SRS-A; Thromboxane B2