In vitro study of the effects of cysteinyl leukotrienes on human vascular preparations

Leukotrienes are 5-lipoxygenase-derived arachidonic acid metabolites. In ad dition to their bronchoconstrictor effects, leukotrienes are also important modulators of the vascular tone which may exert paradoxical effects. Indee d, depending on the vascular tone (in either the basal or norepinephrine-pr econtracted state), leukotrienes are capable of inducing either contraction or relaxation. These paradoxical effects of leukotrienes depend on the vas cular bed and the species investigated. Since urinary LTE4 excretion is inc reased in various cardiovascular diseases, including arterial pulmonary hyp ertension or cardiac ischaemia, the study of the effects of leukotrienes on human vascular preparations is of interest. This article reviews the in vi tro evidence linking cysteinyl leukotrienes to the modulation of the vascul ar tone on human vascular preparations.