Leukotriene inhibitors - (2): place of leukotrienes in the pathophysiologyof asthma and rhinitis

A previous article reviewed leukotrienes, how they were discovered and thei r pathway of biosynthesis. In this paper, we describe the role of leukotrie nes in the immunoallergic inflammatory reaction. Produced by effector cells during degranulation, leukotrienes induce potent and sustained bronchocons triction, and also induce vasodilatation and increased mucus production. Le ukotrienes act on inflammatory cells, especially via their chemotactic prop erties for eosinophils. The authors describe the presence of leukotrienes i n patients with asthma or rhinitis, either spontaneously or in response to provocation tests. Increased levels of leukotrienes are observed in the uri ne and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic patients and they increase after specific stimulation. In rhinitis, increased levels of leukotrienes are observed in nasal secretions during the pollen season and also during p rovocation tests. These various data of the literature demonstrate the impo rtance of leukotrienes in the pathophysiology of asthma and rhinitis and ma ke them a preferential target for modern treatments.