Detection of leukotrienes in rat liver tissue

Abstract

Leukotrienes are chemical mediators which induce allergy and inflammatory reactions. In order to examine the liver metabolism of leukotrienes, we have investigated the existence of leukotrien B4 and C4 (LTB4 and LTC4) in rat liver tissue. Normal rat liver tissue was obtained after laparotomy. LTB4 and LTC4 in bile were assayed by using high performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. As a result, LTB4 and LTC4 were detected in normal liver tissue in rat. Seven days after intravenous injection of heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) into normal rat, levels of LTB4 and LTC4 decreased in liver tissue. When both P. acnes and lipopolysaccharide was injected into rat tail vein, LTB4 and LTC4 in rat liver tissue increased. These results suggest that leukotrienes may exist in liver tissue, and may be associated with the induction of liver cell injury.