CYSTEINYL LEUKOTRIENES IN ASTHMA - OLD MEDIATORS UP TO NEW TRICKS

The cysteinyl leukotrienes have long been suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. This speculation was based largely on thei r release in human lung following antigen challenge as well as their p otent bronchoconstrictor activity. However, there is increasing eviden ce that the cysteinyl leukotrienes also produce several pro-inflammato ry effects and alter the activity of neuronal pathways in the airways. Douglas Hay, Theodore Torphy and Bradley Undem review these recent da ta and discuss the therapeutic possibilities of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.