TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE-STIMULATED RELEASE OF ARACHIDONIC-ACID METABOLITES IN THE ORGAN BATH FROM GUINEA-PIG AIRWAYS

This study was designed to evaluate whether metabolites of arachidonic acid play a role in the contractile response to toluene diisocyanate in isolated guinea pig airways. In control experiments we collected th e supernatant hom an organ bath over a time period of 2 h, after the a ddition of toluene diisocyanate (100 and 300 mu M), and after the addi tion of toluene diisocyanate (300 mu M) in the presence of indomethaci n (5 mu M). We measured prostaglandin E(2), 6-keto-prostaglandin F-1 a lpha, prostaglandin F-2 alpha, thromboxane B-2, leukotriene B-4, leuko triene C-4/D-4/E(4)/F-4 by radioimmunoassays. Levels of prostaglandin F-2 alpha and 6-keto-prostaglandin F-1 alpha increased significantly a fter addition of toluene diisocyanate in the absence of indomethacin. These results suggest that prostaglandins are involved in toluene diis ocyanate-induced contractions in guinea-pig airways.