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

A lipid-rich extract, prepared by supercritical fluid (CO2) extraction of freeze-dried stabilized NZ green-lipped mussel powder (Lyprinol) has shown significant anti-inflammatory (AI) activity when given to animals and humans. When treated p.o. with Lyprinol, Wistar and Dark Agouti rats developed neither adjuvant-induced polyarthritis or collagen(II)-induced auto-allergic arthritis. This was achieved with doses < NSAIDs, and 200 times < of other seed or fish oils. Lyprinol subfractions inhibited LTB4 biosynthesis by PMN in vitro, and PGE2 production by activated macrophages. Much of this AI activity was associated with omega-3 PUFAs and natural antioxidants [e.g. carotenoids]. In contrast to NSAIDs, Lyprinol is non-gastro toxic in disease-stressed rats at 300 mg/kg p.o., and does not affect platelet aggregation [human, rat]. Clinical studies, either controlled or randomized, have demonstrated very significant AI activity in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), asthma, and other inflammatory conditions. Lyprinol is a reproducible, stable source of bioactive lipids with much greater potency than plant/marine oils currently used as nutritional supplements to ameliorate signs of inflammation.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Arthritis, Experimental; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Asthma; Bivalvia; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Routes; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Drug Stability; Freeze Drying; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Leukotrienes; Lipids; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Medicine, Traditional; Neutrophils; New Zealand; Osteoarthritis; Plant Oils; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Tartrates; Tissue Extracts; Treatment Outcome

The family of eicasanoids, biologically active metabolites of polyunsaturated C20 fatty acids such as arachidonic acid, has recently been enlarged by the recognition of a new biosynthetic pathway leading to the leukotrienes, including the compounds described two decades ago as 'slow reacting substances'. These biologically potent substances are involved in regulation of the immune response and also as mediators in various disease states. This account presents a brief history of this field, an overview of the biological relevance of leukotrienes, and a discussion of the investigations which led to the clarification of the molecular structures, pathway of biosynthesis and total chemical synthesis of the leukotrienes, including leukotrienes A, B, C, D and E (LTA-LTE). As a result of the synthetic work these rare substances are available for the first time in pure form and in quantities sufficient for biological and medical studies. Also reviewed are recent discoveries with regard to the development of inhibitors of leukotriene biosynthesis and anti-leukotrienes.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonic Acids; Asthma; Autacoids; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypersensitivity; Leukotriene A4; Leukotriene B4; Leukotriene E4; Leukotrienes; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Macrophages; Mast Cells; Molecular Conformation; Neutrophils; SRS-A; Stereoisomerism; Structure-Activity Relationship

Topics: 12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid; Asthma; Biomarkers; Blood Chemical Analysis; Case-Control Studies; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators; Reference Standards; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

Alveolar macrophages (AM) may take part in the amplification of the inflammatory mechanism involved in asthma. During an asthma attack, mast cells and eosinophils release arachidonic acid derivative mediators of inflammation such as sulfidopeptide leukotrienes. Among them, LTC4 has been shown to be present in bronchoalveolar fluid. In asthmatic patients, we showed that the ability of AM to transform LTC4 into its derivatives LTD4 and LTE4 was related to the intensity of the local inflammation observed during endoscopy. AM from asthmatics incubated in the presence of LTC4 or LTE4, generated LTB4 and 5-HETE, which are potent chemoattractants. Nedocromil sodium (10(-4) M) decreased LTB4 releasability and intracellular 5-HETE concentrations in zymosan-stimulated AM from asthmatic patients, and was shown to decrease the LTC4 or LTE4-promoted formation of LTB4 and 5-HETE.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Asthma; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cells, Cultured; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Leukotriene B4; Leukotriene E4; Leukotrienes; Macrophages, Alveolar; Male; Middle Aged; Nedocromil; Quinolones; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; SRS-A; Stimulation, Chemical

Among the cells which participate in amplification of the local inflammatory reaction in asthma, neutrophils (PMN) are pro-inflammatory cells that can generate inflammatory mediators and arachidonic acid derivatives in particular. In asthmatic patients (AP) with attacks, the capacity of blood PMN to produce 5-lipoxygenase metabolites was investigated and compared to the response in healthy subjects (HS). PMN from 6 AP and from 6 HS were stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187 and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase metabolites were analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC. LTB4, 6-trans LTB4, omega OH-LTB4 and 5-HETE were identified. In AP, total LTB4 synthesis was enhanced as compared to synthesis with PMN in HS. But the total 5-HETE synthesis by PMN from AP was decreased. Thus, the inflammatory potential of PMN from AP was enhanced in comparison to HS. The anti-inflammatory effect of nedocromil sodium (NS) was studied in the 5-lipoxygenase metabolism of arachidonic acid. NS (10(-4) mol/l) inhibited total LTB4 synthesized by PMN in AP but not in HS. We conclude that NS affects leukotriene synthesis only in cells with enhanced inflammatory potential.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase; Asthma; Calcimycin; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; In Vitro Techniques; Leukotriene B4; Male; Middle Aged; Nedocromil; Neutrophils; Quinolones

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) generate 5-HETE which can be retained within cells as free metabolites or esterified into cellular lipids. Since this metabolite has been shown to have certain inflammatory properties, we compared the generation and distribution profile of 5-HETE in A 23187-stimulated PMN from asthmatic patients (AP) and normal subjects (NS). 5-HETE was analyzed using RP-HPLC. After 5 min, total 5 HETE generation was similar in the two populations. However, esterified 5-HETE was significantly enhanced in AP (72 +/- 3% versus 47 +/- 2% of the total synthesis, p less than 0.005), whereas intracellular free 5-HETE was decreased (13 +/- 3% versus 37 +/- 4%, p less than 0.005) and similar low release was observed. Kinetic studies showed that PMN from AP esterified 5-HETE more rapidly and to a greater extent than PMN from NS. By contrast, more intracellular free 5-HETE was recovered in PMN from NS. Esterification seems to be the major pathway of 5-HETE metabolism in PMN from AP. Moreover, we showed that most of the 5-HETE added exogenously was esterified into cellular lipids. In these experimental conditions, PAF-induced migration of PMN was increased. The enhanced ability of PMN to migrate could be due to the increase of 5-HETE esterification process.

Topics: Adult; Asthma; Calcimycin; Cell Migration Inhibition; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Esterification; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Platelet Activating Factor; Reference Values

Topics: Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase; Arachidonic Acid; Arachidonic Acids; Asthma; Bronchi; Calcimycin; Epithelium; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Lung

The mechanism involved in amplification of the local inflammatory process, characteristic of asthma, was investigated through the role of human alveolar macrophages. During asthma attacks, mast cells and eosinophils are known to be activated in order to release arachidonic acid derived inflammation mediators such as sulfidopeptide leukotrienes. It is now known that these metabolites, particularly leukotriene C4, are present in bronchoalveolar lavage from asthmatic patients. Alveolar macrophages, recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage and purified by adherence, are able to transform LTC4 into LTE4. In four asthmatic patients with severe local inflammation as determined by fibrobronchoscopy, these phagocytes, incubated in the presence of LTC4, also generated LTB4 and 5-HETE, which remained within the cells. These preliminary results are discussed relative to amplification of the local process, involving cooperation between the different cells involved in airway responsiveness.

Topics: Adult; Asthma; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; In Vitro Techniques; Leukotriene B4; Leukotrienes; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages; Pulmonary Alveoli; SRS-A

Topics: Asthma; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hydroxyurea; Leukotrienes; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Propionates; Quinolines

Recently identified Ascaris suum sensitive cynomolgus monkeys were further characterized to determine if a chronologic relationship existed between mediator release and onset of bronchoconstriction. In these anesthetized Ascaris-sensitive monkeys, aerosol antigen challenge of each animal produced rapid and severe bronchoconstriction, as determined by decreases in dynamic lung compliance (-80.2 +/- 4.1%) and airway conductance (-64.5 +/- 13.8%). Maximum changes were achieved within 5 min following exposure and remained substantially altered throughout the 30 min observation period. However, changes in pulmonary function related to duration of onset and maximum change seemed to have some correlation with each animals' sensitivity to the antigen. Comparison of pre- and post-challenge blood gas profiles, showed a progressive formation of respiratory acidosis through decreases in arterial blood pH, partial pressure of O2 (pO2), O2 saturation (sO2) and an increase in partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2). When arterial blood plasma was assayed by RIA for mediators of anaphylaxis, large increases in 5-hydroxyeicostetraenoi acid (5-HETE), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and histamine were observed. No amount of prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2 alpha) or thromboxane A2 were detected. Two of the three monkeys also produced detectable amounts of leukotriene C4 (LTC4). Therefore, in Ascaris-sensitive monkeys, histamine is the predominate mediator released and is probably responsible for at least the early part (5-10 min) of the observed bronchoconstriction. However, mediators from the lipoxygenase pathway may also be playing a role in the antigen-induced bronchoconstriction, especially beyond the 10 min period following anaphylaxis.

Topics: Animals; Antigens, Helminth; Ascaris; Asthma; Dinoprost; Histamine; Histamine Release; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Leukotrienes; Macaca fascicularis; Male; Radioimmunoassay; Respiratory Function Tests; Thromboxane B2; Time Factors

Alveolar macrophages (AM) are the principal resident phagocytes in the human lung, and play a major role in local defence against environmental agents. It is now known that during asthma these cells take part in the amplification of the inflammatory mechanism. It has been demonstrated in vitro that they can be activated to generate leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), mediators with potent pharmacological properties. These two arachidonic metabolites were identified and quantified by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) performed in cell suspensions, and in cell free supernatants. AM from asthmatics, after stimulation by the calcium ionophore A23187 or opsonized zymosan, released significantly (p less than 0.05) more LTB4 than those from healthy subjects. The increase in LTB4 release could be evidence for in vivo activation. On the other hand, the levels of 5-HETE in the AM from asthmatics were significantly (p less than 0.03) higher than those in cells from healthy subjects. This intracellular increase could be correlated with a greater migratory ability of these inflammatory macrophages, as observed for eosinophils. The clinical efficacy of nedocromil sodium may be partly related to the decreases in LTB4 releasability and intracellular 5-HETE levels observed only in AM from asthmatic patients.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Asthma; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Calcimycin; Cells, Cultured; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Leukotriene B4; Macrophages; Male; Middle Aged; Nedocromil; Pulmonary Alveoli; Quinolones; Zymosan

The generation of LTB4 by peripheral blood neutrophils (PMN) isolated before and for as long as 6 h after exercise-induced asthma (EIA) has been analyzed. Three and 6 h after the development of EIA, PMN isolated from 10 asthmatic subjects and stimulated in vitro by 2 x 10(8) and 4 x 10(8) zymosan particles per 2 x 10(6) PMN demonstrated a 12- and 4-fold enhancement, respectively, in the production of immunoreactive LTB4 as compared with PMN isolated before exercise. At 6 h after EIA, there was a redistribution of generated LTB4 such that 30 to 40% of LTB4 produced by zymosan-activated PMN was released extracellularly as compared with 10% before exercise. There was no significant enhancement in the generation of LTB4 by unstimulated PMN at any time point after exercise. Resolution by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of products from [3H]arachidonic-acid-labeled and zymosan-activated PMN demonstrated that, in addition to LTB4, there was enhanced metabolism to 6-trans-LTB4, omega-oxidation metabolites of LTB4 and 5-HETE. Stimulation of PMN with 10 microM A23187 revealed a 2-, 6-, and 5-fold enhancement in the production of LTB4, 6-trans-LTB4, and 5-HETE, respectively, at 6 h after EIA, as measured by integrated ultraviolet absorbance after HPLC. There was no significant enhancement in LTB4 generation by PMN in 6 asthmatic subjects after methacholine-induced bronchospasm, and after exercise in 6 subjects who did not develop asthma. The augmentation of PMN LTB4 generation in EIA correlated with the extent of the early decrease in SGaw.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Airway Resistance; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase; Asthma; Asthma, Exercise-Induced; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Calcimycin; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Leukotriene B4; Male; Methacholine Chloride; Methacholine Compounds; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Stereoisomerism; Zymosan

Aspirin (ASA)-induced asthma is a distinct clinical syndrome in which bronchoconstrictive response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be predicted on the basis of their in vitro activity as inhibitors of cyclooxygenase. In ten ASA-sensitive asthmatics and ten matched healthy controls we measured 12-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) production by platelets and 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production by polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The blood cells were obtained before administration of the threshold doses of ASA and during the ASA-induced reactions. Initial levels of eicosanoids determined did not differ between the two groups. In both groups, after ASA challenge, 12-HETE rose to similar levels while 5-HETE and LTB4 remained unchanged. These data do not support the concept that an abnormality in the regulation of arachidonic acid oxidative pathways in ASA-sensitive asthmatics is a generalized phenomenon which embraces the platelets and leucocytes; rather it is inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase within the tissues of the respiratory tract that triggers asthmatic attacks in the sensitive patients.

Topics: 12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid; Adult; Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase; Arachidonic Acids; Aspirin; Asthma; Blood Platelets; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Leukocytes; Leukotriene B4; Male; Middle Aged

Purified serum samples from asthmatic and psoriatic patients and healthy controls were analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the amounts of leukotrienes were measured from the corresponding HPLC fractions by specific radioimmunoassays. In the serum of healthy controls the amounts of leukotrienes B4, C4 and D4 were very small or negligible. Rather great amount of leukotriene B4 was, however, detected in the serum of many asthmatic and psoriatic patients. The amount of leukotriene B4 was in the serum of asthmatic patients 120 +/- 20 pmol/ml (n = 11, mean +/- SEM) and in that of psoriatic patients 100 +/- 10 pmol/ml (n = 10). The amounts of leukotrienes C4 and D4 were rather small in the serum of most patients. The amount of leukotriene C4 was, however, very high (250 pmol/ml) in the serum of a psoriatic patient. Significant amount of leukotriene D4 was also detected in the serum of this patient. The present study indicated that leukotrienes are formed during blood clotting in the leukocytes of asthmatic and psoriatic patients and that the rate of formation is so high that leukotrienes may have a role in these diseases.

Topics: 12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Asthma; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Leukotriene B4; Male; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; SRS-A

Amoxanox has potent antiallergic activity because it inhibits the release of chemical mediators such as histamine and leukotrienes. We studied the in vitro effect of amoxanox on arachidonic acid metabolism, including the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways. Amoxanox inhibited calcium ionophore A23187-induced formation of 5-HETE, LTB4, SRS-A (LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4), and 12-HETE in rat peritoneal resident monocytes. These results indicate that amoxanox inhibits 5- and 12-lipoxygenases. The compound, however, did not affect the formation of TXB2 or 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in guinea pig lung fragments and PGE2 or PGF2 alpha in bovine seminal vesicles, suggesting that it did not inhibit cyclooxygenase. These results show that the antiallergic action of amoxanox is associated, at least in part, with the reduction of leukotrienes due to the inhibition of lipoxygenases.

Topics: 12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid; 5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid; Aminopyridines; Animals; Asthma; Calcimycin; Cattle; Guinea Pigs; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypersensitivity; In Vitro Techniques; Leukotriene B4; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Lung; Male; Monocytes; Prostaglandins; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; SRS-A; Thromboxane B2

The formation of 5-lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid, 5-HETE and 5,12-diHETE, was determined in 100,000 X g supernatant of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from 17 healthy subjects, 17 patients with extrinsic asthma and 15 patients with intrinsic asthma. After the supernatant was incubated with 14C-arachidonic acid in the presence of calcium and indomethacin, the lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid were separated by thin layer chromatography. The results were expressed as the percentage conversion of 14C-arachidonic acid into the product per 10(7) cells. The formation of 5,12-diHETE, but not of 5-HETE, was significantly increased in the cells from the group of patients with extrinsic asthma (4.38 +/- 0.78%, mean +/- S.E.; p less than 0.01) and intrinsic asthma (6.09 +/- 1.11%; p less than 0.01), when compared to normal subjects (1.74 +/- 0.30%). Both extrinsic and intrinsic asthmatics had significantly enhanced 5-lipoxygenase activity, which was expressed as the sum of percentage conversion of 14C-arachidonic acid into 5-HETE and 5,12-diHETE. The percentage conversion in normal subjects was 4.19 +/- 0.39%, 6.24 +/- 0.84% for 17 patients with extrinsic asthma (p less than 0.05), and 8.59 +/- 1.29% for 15 patients with intrinsic asthma (p less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between these asthmatic groups. These results indicate that 5-lipoxygenase activity is increased in patients with bronchial asthma.

Topics: Adult; Arachidonate Lipoxygenases; Arachidonic Acid; Arachidonic Acids; Asthma; Calcium; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Indomethacin; Leukotriene B4; Lipoxygenase; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Seasons

AA-861, a selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, suppressed A23187-induced formations of 5-HETE and LTB4 in rat peritoneal macrophages. Immunologically-stimulated generation of SRS-A was also inhibited in guinea pig lung and rat peritoneal cavity. AA-861 had no effects on histamine release from rat mast cells or passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats. Essentially no antagonistic activity to LTD4 or histamine was observed. This compound exerted an obvious inhibition of allergic bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs and a moderate reduction of carrageenin-induced paw edema and pleurisy in rats. These findings suggest that SRS-A plays an important role in asthmatic and inflammatory reactions.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate Lipoxygenases; Asthma; Benzoquinones; Edema; Female; Guinea Pigs; Histamine Release; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Leukotriene B4; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Lung; Macrophages; Male; Mast Cells; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis; Pleurisy; Quinones; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; SRS-A