Pranlukast protects leukotriene C-4- and D-4-induced epithelial cell impairment of the nasal mucosa in vitro

To investigate the effect of pranlukast on leukotriene- induced airway muco sal epithelial dysfunction, samples of human nasal mucosa obtained during s urgery for facial trauma were exposed to leukotriene C-4 and/or D-4 and obs erved on a TV screen magnified x2,500. Leukotriene C-4- and D-4-induced cil iary inhibition and delayed mucosal surface alterations appeared several ho urs later. Pranlukast prevented both the mucosal epithelial cell dysfunctio n and the delayed epithelial cell alteration. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc . All rights reserved.