The antiinflammatory agent SC-41930 inhibits granulocyte infiltration of the rodent dermis induced by 6-trans-leukotriene B4

Crotoxin-Induced Mice Lung Impairment: Role of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and COX-Derived Prostanoids

Respiratory compromise in Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) snakebite is an important pathological condition. Considering that crotoxin (CTX), a phospholipase A₂ from C.d.t. venom, is the main component of the venom, the present work investigated the toxin effects on respiratory failure. Lung mechanics, morphology and soluble markers were evaluated from Swiss male mice, and mechanism determined using drugs/inhibitors of eicosanoids biosynthesis pathway and autonomic nervous system. Acute respiratory failure was observed, with an early phase (within 2 h) characterized by enhanced presence of eicosanoids, including prostaglandin E2, that accounted for the increased vascular permeability in the lung. The alterations of early phase were inhibited by indomethacin. The late phase (peaked 12 h) was marked by neutrophil infiltration, presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, and morphological alterations characterized by alveolar septal thickening and bronchoconstriction. In addition, lung mechanical function was impaired, with decreased lung compliance and inspiratory capacity. Hexamethonium, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, hampered late phase damages indicating that CTX-induced lung impairment could be associated with cholinergic transmission. The findings reported herein highlight the impact of CTX on respiratory compromise, and introduce the use of nicotinic blockers and prostanoids biosynthesis inhibitors as possible symptomatic therapy to Crotalus durissus terrificus snakebite.

Leukotriene receptors in HL-60 cells differentiated into eosinophils, monocytes and neutrophils

The expression of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptors was determined, by binding assay, in HL-60 cells differentiated into the monocyte/macrophage, neutrophil, and eosinophil lineages. Monocyte/ macrophage- and neutrophil-differentiated cells developed specific LTB4 receptors with high affinities (Kd = 1.27 nM and 2.65 nM, respectively) and low affinities (Kd = 26.41 nM and 55.63 nM, respectively). These receptors were functional and specific as indicated by the ability of LTB4 to elicit an increase in intracellular calcium concentration antagonised by specific antagonists. Eosinophil-differentiated cells developed mainly LTD4 receptors (Kd = 41.91 nM), and stimulation with LTD4 induced an increase in intracellular calcium that was antagonised by a specific LTD4 antagonist. These results show, for the first time, that eosinophil-differentiated HL-60 cells express specific functional LTD4 receptors. These cells could be used for the study of the actions of peptidoleukotrienes on eosinophils, and for studies on the molecular mechanisms regulating LTD4 receptor expression.

Are leukotrienes or PAF involved in hyperbaric oxygen toxicity?

Several very selective leukotriene inhibitors, and a PAF inhibitor, suitable for in vivo use, have been tested for their effects on hyperbaric oxygen toxicity. The leukotriene D4 inhibitor, L660771, and the 5-lipoxygenase pathway inhibitor L663536, failed to affect convulsions or lung damage induced by hyperbaric oxygen (pressure range 515-615 kPa) in either rats or mice. The specific PAF antagonist L659989 showed marginal protection against hyperoxic convulsions and did not alter pulmonary damage. The specific LTB4 antagonist SC-41930 was very effective in inhibiting hyperbaric oxygen-induced convulsions in both rats and mice. SC-41930 also very significantly protected rats against pulmonary oxygen toxicity, but had only marginally significant effects on pulmonary protection in mice.