Correlation of Mucociliary Transport System with Arachidonic Acid Cascade Metabolites

Abstract

12-and 15-HETE were detected in the cultured ciliated epithelium obtained from the canine trachea, but no lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid cascade were observed in this culture medium. The cinematographic analysis revealed that the mucociliary activity in the cultured rat tracheal epithelium was inhibited by LTC₄. The results of photoelectrical analysis of the ciliary beat in vivo indicated that PGE₂ showed a little promotion of mucociliary activity in the guinea pig trachea, while LTD₄ inhibited it. Both lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid cascade in the nasal secretion, retention cyst and tissue fluids obtained from the patients with some nasal lesions were measured using RP-HPLC, radioimmunoassay and bioassay. It was found that the almost equal amounts of SRS-A were detected in the sinus mucosa of chronic sinusitis and inferior turbinate of nasal allergy. The influences of these substances on mucociliary function and nasal mucosal pathology were discussed briefly.