1994 Volume 43 Issue 1 Pages 28-36
To assess the contribution of the leukotrienes, LTC_4, D_4, E_4 and B_4 during bronchial asthma attacks, simultaneous determination was made of their levels in venous blood. 25 patients with bronchial asthma (15 atopic types, 10 non-atopic types) participated in this study and 4 normal controls were used. Samples were obtained using heparinized syringe from the patients before treatment. A radioimmunoassay was conducted to measure LTs after purification with a Sep-pak column and separation by HPLC. In normal subjects, the levels were less than the minimal detectable amounts. LTC_4, D_4, E_4 and B_4 during asthmatic attacks were 100±179, 88±116, 479±291, and 55±73 (Mean±SD) pg/ml respectively (n=27). Peptide LTs in remission were below minimal detectable levels. LTD_4 in patients with moderate attacks was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in those with mild attacks. Peptide LTs in moderate attack exceeded those in mild attacks, although not to a statistically significant degree. No significant differences in LT during attacks could be detected in atopic or non-atopic type patients. LTs would thus appear importantly involved in asthmatic attacks in atopic and non-atopic type patients, although other chemical mediators may give rise to airway inflammation.
