Leukotrienes as mediators of skin inflammation

Leukotrienes (LTs) derived from the 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism, are a new group of biologically active mediators. LTC⁴, LTD⁴ and LTE⁴ are considered collectively to account for the activity of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A). They have potent smooth muscle contracting activity (Drazen et al ., 1980; Holme et al ., 1980) and cause vascular permeability changes in guinea-pig skin (Peck, Piper & Williams, 1981). LTB⁴ has been shown to be a potent chemotactic and chemokinetic agent for polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) (Ford-Hutchinson et al ., 1980; Smith, Ford-Hutchinson & Bray, 1980) and to cause vascular permeability changes in rabbit, rat and guinea-pig skin (Bray et al ., 1981a).
In human skin LTB⁴ has been shown to be a chemotactic agent for neutrophils (Bray, Ford-Hutchinson & Smith, 1981b; Camp et al ., 1982). LTC⁴ and LTD⁴ have pronounced inflammatory actions in human skin causing weal and flare responses and increases in blood flow at low concentrations (Camp et al ., 1982; Bisgard, Kristensen & Sondergaard, 1982). The present studies were designed to investigate a variety of leukotrienes on permeability responses in rabbit and guinea-pig skin.