title: Leukotriene modifiers in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (Cys-LTs) and LTB4 are potent proinflammatory mediators derived from arachidonic acid through the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway, which exerts important pharmacological effects through their interaction with specific receptors: Cys-LT receptors (CysLT1 and CysLT2) and LTB4 receptors (BLT1 and BLT2). Published evidence justifies a broader role for LT receptor antagonists (LTRAs), in particular, montelukast, in the treatment of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and recently, in cardiocerebrovascular disease. The actions of Cys-LTs on the cardiovascular (CV) system are well-documented and include a broad array of activities with promising therapeutic targets in animal models exploring the use of selective 5-LO (or 5-LO-activating protein) inhibitors or dual LO-cycloxygenase-blocking agents in experimentally induced acute myocardial infarction. The picture that emerges from studies with LTRAs is more controversial at the moment, and some findings suggest a role for Cys-LTs in the extension of ischemic damage and in cardiac dysfunction during reperfusion; others do not. The aim of this short review is to summarize the state of present research about LT modifier treatment in CV disease.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Unit San Camillo de Lellis Hospital, Manfredonia, Foggia, Italy. griccioni@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riccioni
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Capra
authors.forename: Nicolantonio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: D'Orazio
authors.forename: Tonino
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bucciarelli
authors.forename: Lydia A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bazzano
mesh_terms: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D015289:Leukotrienes; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene; C112381:cysteinyl-leukotriene; D003545:Cysteine