Biomaterial Database

Pharmacology of leukotriene receptor antagonists and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors in the management of asthma. 1997

J M Drazen

Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

The leukotrienes (LTs), a family of inflammatory mediators arising from the metabolism of arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, are prominently implicated in the pathobiology of asthma. Two classes of LTs, the cysteinyl LTs (LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4) and the dihydroxy-LT (LTB4) have been identified, with each class acting via distinct receptors. Inhibition of LT-mediated inflammation can be achieved by either interruption of 5-lipoxygenase action, thereby preventing formation of the LTs, or inhibition at specific LT receptor sites in the airway. Both the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors and the cysLT receptor antagonists have thus far demonstrated the capacity to improve pulmonary function and reduce symptoms in clinical models of asthma, such as exercise-, aspirin-, or antigen-induced bronchoconstriction, and to improve pulmonary function in patients with mild-to-moderate, chronic stable asthma. The LTs are therefore critical effector molecules in some patients with asthma and important targets in the pharmacologic management of this disease.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001249	Asthma	A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).	Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas
D015289	Leukotrienes	A family of biologically active compounds derived from arachidonic acid by oxidative metabolism through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. They participate in host defense reactions and pathophysiological conditions such as immediate hypersensitivity and inflammation. They have potent actions on many essential organs and systems, including the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and central nervous system as well as the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system.	Leukotriene
D016084	Bronchoconstriction	Narrowing of the caliber of the BRONCHI, physiologically or as a result of pharmacological intervention.	Bronchial Constriction,Bronchial Constrictions,Bronchoconstrictions,Constriction, Bronchial,Constrictions, Bronchial
D016859	Lipoxygenase Inhibitors	Compounds that bind to and inhibit that enzymatic activity of LIPOXYGENASES. Included under this category are inhibitors that are specific for lipoxygenase subtypes and act to reduce the production of LEUKOTRIENES.	5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor,Lipoxygenase Inhibitor,12-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,15-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Inhibitors, Lipoxygenase,12 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,12-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors, Arachidonate,15 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,15-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors, Arachidonate,5 Lipoxygenase Inhibitor,5 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors, Arachidonate,Arachidonate 12 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 15 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 5 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitor, Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, 12-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, 15-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, 5-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase
D020024	Leukotriene Antagonists	A class of drugs designed to prevent leukotriene synthesis or activity by blocking binding at the receptor level.	Leukotriene Antagonist,Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist,Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists,Antagonists, Leukotriene,Receptor Antagonists, Leukotriene,Antagonist, Leukotriene,Antagonist, Leukotriene Receptor,Antagonists, Leukotriene Receptor,Receptor Antagonist, Leukotriene