Effect of a novel leukotoriene synthesis inhibitor, BAY x1005, on the antigen-and LPS-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs

Mechanisms of endotoxin-induced airway and pulmonary vascular hyperreactivity in mice

Endotoxin is thought to contribute to pulmonary hyperresponsiveness in byssinosis, asthma, and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon in the isolated, blood-free perfused mouse lung. Perfusion with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) had no effect on pulmonary resistance or pulmonary artery pressure, but induced airway hyperreactivity (AHR) to methacholine (MCh) and pulmonary vascular hyperreactivity (VHR) to platelet-activating factor (PAF). Blockade of the thromboxane/endoperoxide (TP) receptor with SQ29.548 completely protected against LPS-induced AHR and VHR. Blockade of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) abolished LPS-induced VHR but suppressed LPS-induced AHR only marginally. COX-2 messenger RNA was upregulated in LPS-treated lungs, and inhibition of transcription with actinomycin D or of protein biosynthesis with cycloheximide protected against LPS-induced VHR but not AHR. Pretreatment with the radical scavenger N-acetylcysteine partly protected against LPS-induced AHR. In addition, perfusion of mouse lungs with the isoprostane 8-epiprostaglandin F(2alpha) (8-epi-PGF(2alpha)), which may be formed as a consequence of oxidative stress in the lung, elicited AHR, which was completely blocked by SQ29.548. Enzyme immunoassay did not detect either 8-epi-PGF(2alpha )or thromboxane B(2) in perfusate samples. Our findings show that LPS induces AHR and VHR in mouse lungs via activation of the TP receptor. Although induction of VHR depends on COX-2 activity, AHR is largely mediated by a non-COX-derived TP agonist, which might be a product of radical-induced lipid peroxidation.

Leukotriene activity modulation in asthma

Leukotrienes constitute a class of inflammatory mediators synthesised from arachidonic acid, a product of cell membrane metabolism. Synthesis occurs in the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme pathway, which produces several species of leukotrienes, each with characteristic biological activities. With regard to asthma, the leukotrienes are particularly important because of their ability to directly and potently mediate bronchoconstriction; in addition, they specifically stimulate the secretion of mucus into the airways and the extravasation of fluids and proteins into the airway tissues, both of which contribute to airway obstruction. A number of antileukotriene agents have been developed with the goal of modulating the inflammatory process in various disease states. These agents fall into 2 general classes: leukotriene receptor antagonists and leukotriene synthesis inhibitors. Results of antileukotriene agents in preclinical and clinical trials indicate that antileukotriene agents attenuate the response to challenges with inhaled leukotrienes, cold air, exercise, aspirin and allergen; in addition, they have shown efficacy in clinical asthma and have not been associated with serious adverse effects. Although results to date indicate that these medications are well tolerated and effective in the treatment of asthma, the recent approval by the FDA of 2 antileukotriene agents will give physicians further insight into how patients with asthma respond to them.