title: Leukotriene C4 decreases the activity of respiratory cilia in vitro.
abstract: In the present study we assessed the effect of leukotriene C4 on ciliary beat frequency in vitro. Chicken tracheas were sliced into thin rings and ciliary activity was viewed microscopically. Ciliary beat frequency was measured through an optical fibre by a fast Fourier transformer analyser and recorded on an oscilloscope. Ciliary beat frequency was measured at one fixed point during 30 min at room temperature in RPMI-HEPES medium alone and in medium containing leukotriene C4 at a range of concentrations (10(-6)-10(-9) M). Our results demonstrate that leukotriene C4 (10(-7) and 10(-8) M) caused a significant decrease in ciliary beat frequency in all tracheal rings tested (mean decrease of 24%). The specificity and Ca2(+)-dependency of leukotriene C4 activity was elucidated by the ability of FPL 55712 (SRS-A specific antagonist), Ca2(+)-free medium, calcium channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil) and the calmodulin inhibitor trifluroperazine to abrogate its effect on ciliary beating.
authors.affiliation: Ruth Ben-Ari Institute of Clinical Immunology, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovet, Israel.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Weisman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alon
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Poliak
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tabachnik
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Priscu
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bentwich
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002645:Chickens; D002867:Chromones / Q000494:pharmacology; D002923:Cilia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013189:SRS-A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002867:Chromones; D013189:SRS-A; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; C006312:FPL 55712; D014700:Verapamil; D009543:Nifedipine; D000420:Albuterol; D002118:Calcium