Open AccessEnhanced peripheral leukocyte leukotriene production and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthmatics
Author(s) -
Mitsunobu F.,
Mifune T.,
Hosaki Y.,
Ashida K.,
Tsugeno H.,
Okamoto M.,
Harada S.,
Takata S.,
Tanizaki Y,
Harada M
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
european respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.021
H-Index - 241
eISSN - 1399-3003
pISSN - 0903-1936
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-3003.2000.016003504.x
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchial hyperresponsiveness , asthma , immunology , methacholine , leukotriene c4 , leukotriene , immunoglobulin e , allergy , leukotriene b4 , respiratory disease , antibody , inflammation , lung
Leukotrienes (LTs) are pro‐inflammatory mediators that contribute to the pathophysiological features of asthma. The relationship between the amounts of LTB 4 and LTC 4 produced by the leukocytes of asthmatic patients on the one hand and immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated allergy, asthma exacerbations and bronchial hyperresponsiveness was studied. Leukocytes were obtained from peripheral blood drawn from 29 atopic and 27 nonatopic asthmatics during exacerbations and clinically controlled periods, as well as from 20 control individuals. The leukocytes were stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187 to induce LTB 4 and LTC 4 production. Allergy was assessed by means of specific serum IgE or by positive skin tests, whereas bronchial hyperresponsiveness was measured by methacholine challenge. The leukocytes of the asthmatics generated significantly more LTB 4 (p<0.05) and LTC 4 (p<0.01) than those of controls. The leukocytes of patients with atopic asthma generated significantly more LTC 4 than those of patients with nonatopic asthma (p<0.01). Significantly more LTC 4 was produced by leukocytes obtained during exacerbations, than by those obtained during clinically controlled periods (p<0.01). In addition, there was a significant correlation between LTB 4 generation by leukocytes and the degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (r=‐0.792, p<0.0001). These results suggest that leukotriene C 4 production by leukocytes is associated with immunoglobulin E‐mediated allergy and asthma exacerbations, and further that generation of leukotriene B 4 is closely related to bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with asthma.