Auranofin (AF), a lipophilic chrysotherapeutic agent, was investigated for its effect on the formation of lipoxygenase products and the activity of protein kinase C in human neutrophils. We have previously shown that inhibition of LTB4 formation by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors is intimately associated with a marked increased in 15-HETE in excess of arachidonic acid. The calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C, is activated in FMLP- and A23187-stimulated neutrophils, is hypothesized to stimulate superoxide generation, and plays an essential role in eicosanoid production. AF dose-dependently inhibited the generation of leukotriene B4(LTB4) in FMLP-stimulated neutrophils, the ID50 was approximately 4.5 micrograms/ml. Unlike known 5-LO inhibitors, AF did not enhance the production of 15-HETE. In neutrophils stimulated with the calcium ionophore, A23187, AF did not inhibit the generation of LTB4 nor did AF change the 15-HETE levels. AF inhibited superoxide generation in FMLP-stimulated neutrophils dose-dependently, but did not change the activation of protein kinase C in the cells. We therefore conclude, that AF inhibition of LTB4 production in neutrophils is different from 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors and is elicited at a step distal to protein kinase C activation.