Increased urinary leukotriene E-4 excretion in patients with atopic dermatitis

Background Synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTs) is known to play a par t in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Objectives To define the involvement of cysteinyl LTs in atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods Synthesis of cysteinyl LTs was assessed in patients with AD and hea lthy volunteers by measuring urinary LTE4, a useful index of systemic cyste inyl LT synthesis, using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Results Mean +/- SD urinary LTE4 levels in patients with AD (125 +/- 69 pg mg(-1) creatinine, n = 20) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in hea lthy volunteers (60 +/- 19 pg mg(-1) creatinine, n = 17). A significant cor relation between urinary LTE4 and total serum IgE levels in patients with A D was observed (r = 0.643, P < 0.05). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate an enhanced synthesis of cysteinyl LTs in patients with AD and suggest that cysteinyl LTs are involved in the pat hophysiology of AD.