title: Urine leukotriene B4 in familial Mediterranean fever.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine urinary leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels and their role in FMF:
  
  
  METHODS
  Urinary LTB4 levels were studied using a commercial ELISA kit in 12 FMF patients during abdominal attacks, and 20 FMF patients during remission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urinary LTB4 levels in FMF patients during attacks were comparable to those during remission, but higher than normal levels (p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest a persistent activation of the leukotriene pathway in FMF. Whether elevated LTB4 levels are the cause or the effect of inflammation is yet to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Medicine Department, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Bentancur
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naveh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lancri
authors.forename: B-A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Selah
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Livneh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine*; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D016482:Urinalysis
chemical_list: D007975:Leukotriene B4