title: Pharmacology of leukotriene receptor antagonists and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors in the management of asthma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Drazen
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D015289:Leukotrienes; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors