leukotriene-c4 and Edema

The cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are a family of potent lipid mediators of inflammation derived from arachidonic acid. Activation of certain cell types results in the biosynthesis and export of leukotriene (LT) C(4), which then undergoes extracellular metabolism to LTD(4) and LTE(4). LTE(4), the most stable cys-LT, is only a weak agonist for the defined type 1 and type 2 cys-LT receptors (CysLT(1)R and CysLT(2)R, respectively). We had recognized a greater potency for LTE(4) than LTC(4) or LTD(4) in constricting guinea pig trachea in vitro and comparable activity in eliciting a cutaneous wheal and flare response in humans. Thus, we hypothesized that a vascular permeability response to LTE(4) in mice lacking both the CysLT(1)R and CysLT(2)R could establish the existence of a separate LTE(4) receptor. We now report that the intradermal injection of LTE(4) into the ear of mice deficient in both CysLT(1)R and CysLT(2)R elicits a vascular leak that exceeds the response to intradermal injection of LTC(4) or LTD(4), and that this response is inhibited by pretreatment of the mice with pertussis toxin or a Rho kinase inhibitor. LTE(4) is approximately 64-fold more potent in the CysLT(1)R/CysLT(2)R double-deficient mice than in sufficient mice. The administration of a CysLT(1)R antagonist augmented the permeability response of the CysLT(1)R/CysLT(2)R double-deficient mice to LTC(4), LTD(4), and LTE(4). Our findings establish the existence of a third receptor, CysLT(E)R, that responds preferentially to LTE(4), the most abundant cys-LT in biologic fluids, and thus reveal a new target for therapeutic intervention.

Topics: Animals; Capillary Permeability; Edema; Leukotriene Antagonists; Leukotriene C4; Leukotriene D4; Leukotriene E4; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Receptors, Leukotriene

Leukotriene A(4) hydrolase (LTA(4)H) catalyzes production of the proinflammatory lipid mediator, leukotriene (LT) B(4), which is implicated in a number of inflammatory diseases. We have identified a potent and selective inhibitor of both the epoxide hydrolase and aminopeptidase activities of recombinant human LTA(4)H (IC(50), approximately 10 nM). In a murine model of arachidonic acid-induced ear inflammation, the LTA(4)H inhibitor, JNJ-26993135 (1-[4-(benzothiazol-2-yloxy)-benzyl]-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid), dose-dependently inhibited ex vivo LTB(4) production in blood, in parallel with dose-dependent inhibition of neutrophil influx (ED(50), 1-3 mg/kg) and ear edema. In murine whole blood and in zymosan-induced peritonitis, JNJ-26993135 selectively inhibited LTB(4) production, without affecting cysteinyl leukotriene production, while maintaining or increasing production of the anti-inflammatory mediator, lipoxin (LX) A(4). The 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor zileuton showed inhibition of LTB(4), LTC(4), and LXA(4) production. Although zileuton inhibited LTB(4) production in the peritonitis model more effectively than the LTA(4)H inhibitor, the influx of neutrophils into the peritoneum after 1 and 2 h was significantly higher in zileuton- versus JNJ-26993135-treated animals. This difference may have been mediated by the increased LXA(4) levels in the presence of the LTA(4)H inhibitor. The selective inhibition of LTB(4) production by JNJ-26993135, while increasing levels of the anti-inflammatory mediator, LXA(4), may translate to superior therapeutic efficacy versus 5-LO or 5-LO-activating protein inhibitors in LTB(4)-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Arachidonic Acid; Ascitic Fluid; Benzothiazoles; Dogs; Ear; Edema; Eicosanoids; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epoxide Hydrolases; Female; Humans; Hydroxyurea; Inflammation; Leukotriene B4; Leukotriene C4; Lipoxins; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred Strains; Neutrophil Infiltration; Peritonitis; Piperidines; Recombinant Proteins

We examined the effects of ML3000 and several non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the synthesis of products of 5-LOX (LTB4, LTC4) and COX-1/2 (TXB2, PGE2) in vitro and ex vivo in order to further elucidate the mechanism of action of ML3000.. Using a human whole blood assay the effect of ML3000 on the shunt of arachidonic acid to the lipoxygenase pathway when COX is blocked was studied. ML3000 (0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30 microg/ml) and indomethacin (0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30 microg/ml) concentration-dependently inhibited the synthesis of PGE2 (IC50 = 3.9 and 4.5 microM). In contrast to ML3000, indomethacin produced an increase of LTC4 of up to 155.5% of control. 5-lipoxygenase inhibition was further tested in a basophilic leukemia cell assay using RBL-1 cells. ML3000 (1-10 microM) inhibited the synthesis of LTB4 in a concentration related manner (IC50: 3.6 microM). In carrageenan induced rat paw edema, ML3000 and indomethacin completely blocked the formation of PGE2 in the inflamed tissue. The LTB4 production in the inflamed paw was reduced to basal levels by ML3000 (10 +/- 1.4 pg/paw saline control and 7.5 +/- 1.3-5.9 +/- 3.2 pg/paw ML3000), whereas LTB4 levels remained markedly elevated as compared to saline control by indomethacin (30.7 pg/paw). 5-LOX inhibition in the inflamed rat colon was investigated by measuring LTB4 synthesis. MK-886 and ML3000 at 10 mg/kg p.o. reduced LTB4 production to 29.8 +/- 4.9 and 30.1 +/- 2.8 pg/mg tissue as compared to control (54.2 +/- 7.4 mg/kg tissue). LTB4 levels in the rat stomach were comparable to control (2.5 +/- 0.4 pg/mg protein) after oral administration of ML3000 (10, 30, 100 mg/kg), whereas oral treatment with indomethacin (0.3, 1, 3 mg/kg) or diclofenac (1, 3 mg/kg) increased LTB4 up to 9.2 +/- 2.3 or 8.9 +/- 1.6 pg/mg protein. This effect was significant at 1 mg/kg diclofenac and 0.3 mg/kg indomethacin.. These results provide further evidence, that ML3000 inhibits 5-LOX as well as COX-1 and COX-2 in vitro and in animal experiments. The favourable gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability of the compound is believed to be linked to the mechanism of combined 5-LOX and COX-1/2 inhibition of ML3000.

Topics: Acetates; Adult; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Colon; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Edema; Gastric Mucosa; Humans; Leukotriene B4; Leukotriene C4; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Male; Pyrroles; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats, Wistar; Stomach; Thromboxane B2

The pentacyclic triterpene lupeol has been studied for its inhibitory effects on murine models of inflammation and peritoneal macrophage functions in-vitro. Lupeol (0.5 and 1 mg/ear) administered topically suppressed the mouse ear oedema induced by 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol acetate (TPA), being less effective on ear oedema induced by arachidonic acid. Quantitation of the neutrophil specific marker myeloperoxidase demonstrated that its topical activity was associated with reduction in cell infiltration into inflamed tissues. When tested in-vitro, lupeol significantly reduced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production from A23187-stimulated macrophages, but failed to affect leukotriene C4 release. It was a weak inhibitor of nitrite release, but dose-dependently suppressed PGE2. Cytokine production (tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta) was inhibited in the range 10-100 microM in lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages. This study demonstrated that lupeol possessed anti-inflammatory activity which was likely to depend on its ability to prevent the production of some pro-inflammatory mediators.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Arachidonic Acid; Cytokines; Dinoprostone; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Edema; Inflammation; Interleukin-1; Leukotriene C4; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Mice; Models, Animal; Nitrites; Pentacyclic Triterpenes; Phytotherapy; Pimenta; Plant Extracts; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Triterpenes; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

In noninfected rats, challenge with allergen following local IgE sensitization induced a pleurisy marked by intense protein exudation that plateaued from 30 min to 4 h after challenge, reducing thereafter. Infection of rats with Angiostrongylus costaricensis induced a 5-fold increase in blood eosinophil numbers by 25 days postinfection, whereas the numbers of eosinophils in the pleural cavity ranged from normal to a weak increase. In infected rats, identically sensitized, challenge with Ag induced a much shorter duration of pleural edema with complete resolution by 4 h, but no change in the early edema response. In parallel, infection increased the number of eosinophils recovered from the pleural cavity at 4 h, but not at 30 min, following allergen challenge. Pretreatment with IL-5 (100 IU/kg, i.v.) also increased eosinophil numbers in blood and, after allergen challenge, shortened the duration of the pleural edema and increased pleural eosinophil numbers. There were increases in the levels of both PGE2 and lipoxin A4 (LXA4) in pleural exudate. Selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors, NS-398, meloxicam, and SC-236, did not alter pleural eosinophilia, but reversed the curtailment of the edema in either infected or IL-5-pretreated rats. Pretreatment of noninfected animals with the PGE analogue, misoprostol, or two stable LXA4 analogues did not alter the magnitude of pleural exudation response, but clearly shortened its duration. These results indicate that the early resolution of allergic pleural edema observed during A. costaricensis infection coincided with a selective local eosinophilia and seemed to be mediated by COX-2-derived PGE2 and LXA4.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Angiostrongylus; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antigens, Helminth; Corticosterone; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dinoprostone; Edema; Eosinophilia; Exudates and Transudates; Female; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypersensitivity; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Injections, Intravenous; Interleukin-5; Isoenzymes; Kinetics; Leukotriene C4; Lipoxins; Male; Misoprostol; Pleural Effusion; Pleurisy; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Strongylida Infections

Leukotrienes (LT) are potent lipid mediators synthesized by the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. LT have been implicated in a broad spectrum of inflammatory processes. To investigate the influence of genetic factors on the contribution of LT to acute inflammation, we generated congenic 5-lipoxygenase-deficient 129, C57BL/6 (B6), and DBA/1Lac (DBA) mouse lines. Topical application of AA evoked a vigorous inflammatory response in 129 and DBA mice, whereas only a modest response was seen in B6 animals. The response to AA in 129 and DBA strains is LT dependent. In contrast, LT make little contribution to this response in B6 mice. AA-induced inflammation in B6 mice is prostanoid dependent, since this response was substantially reduced by treating B6 mice with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. These data suggest that prostanoids are essential for AA-induced cutaneous inflammation in B6 mice, whereas LT are the major mediators of this response in 129 and DBA strains. In contrast, the response to AA in the peritoneal cavity is robust in the 129 and B6 strains, but was significantly blunted in DBA mice, showing that strain differences in the response to AA are tissue specific. Variations in these and other experimental models of inflammation appear to correlate directly with the ability of a particular mouse strain and a specific tissue to respond to LT, specifically LTC4. Taken together, these findings indicate that the relative contribution of prostanoids and LT to inflammatory responses is variable not only between strains but also between different tissues within these inbred mouse lines.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase; Arachidonic Acid; Crosses, Genetic; Ear, External; Edema; Indomethacin; Inflammation; Leukotriene C4; Leukotrienes; Mice; Mice, Congenic; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred DBA; Mice, Mutant Strains; Peritonitis; Species Specificity; Zymosan

The effect of fat-rich diets on the acute inflammatory response was examined. Male Wistar rats aged 21 days were fed, for 6 weeks, with a control diet (4% fat content), or a control diet supplemented with coconut or soybean oils (15% fat content). Carrageenan-induced paw oedema and pleurisy were evaluated. Prostaglandin (PG) E2 and leukotriene (LT) C4/D4 concentrations were determined in the pleural exudate (ELISA). Pleural samples were tested for their effect on cutaneous vascular permeability of control rats and the effect of a LTD4 receptor antagonist (L660-711; 10 mg/kg; i.v.) examined. Relative to controls, rats fed both fat-rich diets presented a significant reduction in protein leakage and oedema formation without affecting the number of migrating leukocytes. Production of LTC4/D4 in pleural exudate was significantly increased from 1.8 +/- 0.2 ng/ml in controls to 2.8 +/- 0.2 and 3.0 +/- 0.3 ng/ml in animals fed coconut and soybean oil enriched diets, respectively, without changes in PGE2 production. The activity of these samples on cutaneous vascular permeability was 50% reduced, returning to control values after treatment of testing animals with a LTD4 receptor antagonist. Rats fed fat-rich diets presented a reduced inflammatory response due, at least in part, to the LTC4/D4 mediated vasoconstrictor effect.

Topics: Acute-Phase Reaction; Animals; Capillary Permeability; Carrageenan; Coconut Oil; Dietary Fats; Dinoprostone; Edema; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Exudates and Transudates; Hindlimb; Leukotriene Antagonists; Leukotriene C4; Leukotriene D4; Male; Plant Oils; Pleural Effusion; Pleurisy; Propionates; Quinolines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Skin; Soybean Oil

Buddlejasaponin I and saikosaponin 1 and 2, biologically active compounds from Scrophularia scorodonia and Bupleurum rigidum respectively, exert potent in vivo antiinflammatory effects on mouse ear edema induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The effects of these compounds on swelling and other inflammatory parameters are described. In screening for in vitro effects of saikosaponins on cellular systems generating cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) metabolites, we observed that most saikosaponins showed a significant effect. The action is more marked on LOX metabolite LTC4. Our data support the inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism as one of the biochemical mechanisms that might be the rationale for the putative antiphlogistic activity of these saikosaponins.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Carbohydrate Sequence; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Dinoprostone; Ear, External; Edema; Female; Humans; Leukotriene C4; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Oleanolic Acid; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Sapogenins; Saponins; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

To investigate the effect of ER-34122, a novel pyrazole derivative, on 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) metabolite production in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo.. In vitro, lysate of rat basophilic leukemia cells, the microsome fraction of sheep seminal vesicles, human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, human synovial cells, and human monocytes. Ex vivo and in vivo, male Balb/c mice or SD rats.. In ex vivo study, ER-34122 (0.03-1 mg/kg) was orally administered 1 h before withdrawal of blood samples. In carrageenin-induced paw edema, ER-34122 (3-100 mg/kg) and indomethacin (1-10mg/kg) were orally administered 1 h before carrageenin injection. In arachidonic acid-induced ear inflammation, ER-34122 (0.3-10mg/kg), zileuton (10-100mg/kg) and indomethacin (0.3-3mg/kg) were orally administered 1 h before arachidonic acid application.. 5-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and other eicosanoids were determined by using an HPLC method and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Rat hind paw edema and mouse ear edema were assessed by measuring paw volume and ear thickness, respectively. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and eicosanoid content of the ear tissue were also determined.. ER-34122 inhibited both LOX and COX product generation in vitro, and ex vivo. ER-34122 and indomethacin inhibited carrageenin-induced paw edema formation. In the arachidonic acid-induced ear inflammation, ER-34122 inhibited inflammatory responses (edema formation and MPO accumulation) as well as eicosanoids (LTB4, LTC4 and PGE2) generation. A representative LOX inhibitor, zileuton, also inhibited these inflammatory responses, while a COX inhibitor, indomethacin, did not suppress them though it completely inhibited PGE2 generation.. The anti-inflammatory characteristics of ER-34122 are considered to be superior to those of COX inhibitors such as indomethacin, because in addition to its inhibitory activity on the COX pathway, ER-34122 inhibits LOX products generation, as revealed by the inhibition of edema formation or polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration in the arachidonic acid-induced ear inflammation model.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Arachidonic Acid; Benzamides; Carrageenan; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dinoprostone; Edema; Humans; Indomethacin; Leukotriene B4; Leukotriene C4; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Otitis; Peroxidase; Pyrazoles; Rats; Sheep; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Oxaceprol, an established therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis, had no effect on macrophage prostaglandin E2 release in vitro and inhibited carrageenan paw oedema at high doses (18-150 mg/kg p.o.). In the same dose range, oxaceprol was comparable to indomethacin (3 mg/kg p.o.) as an inhibitor of yeast hyperalgaesia and at 6-50 mg/kg/day p.o. had a mild, variable inhibitory effect on cotton pellet granuloma formation. In adjuvant arthritic rats, oxaceprol (6-54 mg/kg/day p.o.) given therapeutically had no effect on the primary paw oedema response, but inhibited secondary lesions in the ears and tail. Histologically, oxaceprol markedly inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and bone damage in the adjuvant-injected paw. In contrast to indomethacin, oxaceprol was more effective at inhibiting periarticular soft tissue inflammation but did not affect cartilage breakdown in this model. Oxaceprol has a clearly different spectrum of action to NSAIDs such as indomethacin and may act by inhibiting leucocyte infiltration and late connective tissue changes during inflammatory joint disease.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Arthritis, Experimental; Carrageenan; Dinoprostone; Edema; Eicosanoids; Granuloma; Hydroxyproline; Hyperalgesia; Indomethacin; Joints; Leukotriene C4; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Mice; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

We have investigated the effects of actinomycin D on mouse ear oedema induced by capsaicin, neuropeptides, and established inflammatory mediators. Actinomycin D (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited ear oedema induced by topical application of capsaicin, while adriamycin (6.0 mg/kg, i.v.) and cycloheximide (6.0 mg/kg, i.v.) had no effect on oedema. The ear oedema induced by intradermal injection of neuropeptides such as mammalian tachykinins, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), was markedly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 or P < 0.001) suppressed by actinomycin D. The drug was also effective (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001) in inhibiting bradykinin (BK)- and compound 48/80-induced ear oedema, but did not inhibit oedema induced by histamine, 5-HT, leukotriene C4 (LTC4), and platelet activating factor (PAF) at a dose of 1 mg/kg. In mast cell-deficient W/WV mice, actinomycin D (1.0 mg/kg, i.v.) failed to inhibit substance P (SP)-induced ear oedema whereas spantide (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) was an effective (P < 0.01) inhibitor of oedema formation. Furthermore, actinomycin D (10-100 microM) dose-dependently prevented histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells evoked by SP, compound 48/80, and the ionophore A23182, respectively. These results strongly suggest that an inhibitory effect of actinomycin D on neurogenic inflammation is due primarily to the prevention of mast cell activation mediated by neuropeptides, rather than an interaction with DNA or receptors of neuropeptides.

Topics: Animals; Bradykinin; Calcimycin; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Capsaicin; Cycloheximide; Dactinomycin; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Doxorubicin; Ear Diseases; Edema; Histamine; Injections, Intravenous; Leukotriene C4; Male; Mast Cells; Mice; p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; Platelet Activating Factor; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Serotonin; Substance P; Tachykinins; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Leukotrienes have been implicated in the regulation of immune responses, including inflammation and immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Here, we describe the phenotypic analysis of leukotriene-deficient mice generated by inactivation of the 5-lipoxygenase (5LO) gene. These 5LO(-/-) mice were unable to synthesize detectable levels of leukotrienes and were more resistant to lethal anaphylaxis induced by platelet-activating factor. The intensity of an acute inflammatory response induced by arachidonic acid was similar in 5LO(-/-) mice and controls. However, the response in 5LO(-/-) mice, but not in controls, could be virtually eliminated by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. These data suggest that inflammatory responses are modulated by arachidonic acid metabolites through a variety of interconnected mechanisms. This has important implications for understanding the early events of an inflammatory response and for designing drugs for use in therapeutic intervention.

Topics: Anaphylaxis; Animals; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Dinoprostone; Edema; Inflammation; Leukotriene C4; Leukotrienes; Macrophages; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Neutrophils; Platelet Activating Factor; Thromboxane B2

This study was performed to establish a useful method for monitoring the effects of inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and/or cyclooxygenase (CO) and for differential evaluation of these inhibitors. After oral dosing, CO inhibitors such as indomethacin (20-40 mg/kg) and ketoprofen (40-80 mg/kg), zileuton (5-LO inhibitor, 20-80 mg/kg) and MK886 (5-LO-activating-protein inhibitor, 640 mg/kg) potently suppressed arachidonic acid (AA, 0.25 mg)-induced ear edema in mice. Methysergide (serotonin antagonist, 20 mg/kg) showed a slight anti-edematous effect, while mepyramine (160 mg/kg) and bromelain (320 mg/kg) had no effect. The anti-edematous effects of indomethacin and ketoprofen were reduced by concomitant topical application of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, 1 micrograms/ear), but not by concomitant intradermal application of leukotriene C4 (LTC4, 0.1 micrograms/ear). On the contrary, the anti-edematous effects of zileuton and MK886 were reduced by LTC4, but not by PGE2. Dual (5-LO and CO) inhibitors such as phenidone (80-160 mg/kg) and BW755C (40-80 mg/kg), which inhibited the biosynthesis of LTB4 13-15 times more potently than that of PGE2 in rat peritoneal exudate cells, also showed anti-edematous effects that were reduced by LTC4, but not by PGE2. These results suggest that the AA (0.25 mg)-induced ear edema in mice is mainly mediated by LTs and PGs and is suitable for evaluating inhibitors of 5-LO and/or CO, and that an application of LTC4 or PGE2 with AA is a useful method for differential evaluation of these inhibitors.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Arachidonic Acid; Ascitic Fluid; Cells, Cultured; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dinoprostone; Ear Diseases; Edema; Leukotriene C4; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Rats; Rats, Wistar

Anti-inflammatory activity of baicalein (5,6,7-trioxyflavone-7-O-beta-D-glucuronide) was greater in the chronic inflammation model (rat adjuvant arthritis, ED50 = 120.6 mg/kg) than observed in the rat carrageenan-induced paw edema, ED50 > or = 200.0 mg/kg. A comparative study of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitory activity of baicalein, BW 755 C, and hydroxamic acid arachidonate on leukotriene C4 (LTC4) biosynthesis by rat resident peritoneal macrophages stimulated with calcium ionophore (A 23186) showed that these drugs significantly inhibited LTC4 production, IC50: 9.5, 41.8, and 2.8 microM, respectively. This finding suggests that inhibition of the 5-LO pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism may be one of the mechanisms of baicalein's anti-inflammatory activity.

Topics: 4,5-Dihydro-1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-amine; Animals; Arachidonic Acids; Arthritis, Experimental; Carrageenan; Diclofenac; Edema; Flavanones; Flavonoids; Hydroxamic Acids; Inflammation; Leukotriene C4; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Rats; Rats, Wistar

We studied the effect of intravenous administration of leukotriene (LT) C4 on bronchial responsiveness to histamine and airway wall thickening in guinea-pigs. Guinea-pigs were killed and the lungs were fixed in formalin. Slides from paraffin-embedded sections of the lungs were stained and the airways that were cut in transverse sections were measured by tracing enlarged images using a digitizer. Moreover, airway resistance (Raw) was determined by a pulmonary mechanics analyser and we calculated two indices, an index of airway wall thickening and the one of airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine, from changes of baseline-Raw and peak-Raw following intravenous administration of histamine before and after the intravenous administration of LTC4. Intravenous administration of 3 microg/kg LTC4 for 1 hr induced an increase of the relative thickness of the airway wall in peripheral bronchi by the histological examination. In analysis of airway function, intravenous administration of 3 microg/kg LTC4 for 1 hr induced airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine with airway wall thickening. Thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists ONO-NT-126 and ONO-8809 inhibited the LTC4-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine in a dose-dependent manner, but not the airway wall thickening induced by LTC4, suggesting that the effect of LTC4 on bronchial hyperresponsiveness is likely to be mediated through TXA2.

Topics: Airway Resistance; Animals; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; Bronchi; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Bronchoconstrictor Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; Edema; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; Guinea Pigs; Histamine; Injections, Intravenous; Leukotriene C4; Male; Molecular Structure; Receptors, Thromboxane