title: The role of leukotrienes in asthma.
abstract: Recent advances in biochemistry and cell biology have allowed the determination of the structure and biosynthetic pathways of the leukotriene constituents of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis. The sulphidopeptide leukotrienes have potent biological actions including effects on smooth muscle, mucus secretion and vascular permeability whereas leukotriene B3 is a powerful chemoattractant for neutrophils. It seems likely that the biological activities of the leukotrienes make a substantial contribution to the pathogenesis of asthma and that research directed towards the development of antagonists or inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis may lead to a major therapeutic advance.
mesh_terms: D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000187:drug effects; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D013189:SRS-A / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D013189:SRS-A; D007975:Leukotriene B4