Mediators of immediate hypersensitivity derived from arachidonic acid.

Abstract

Recent progress in the elucidation of the chemical structures and biologic properties of the lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid promises to lead to a much greater understanding of human immunopathology and allergic diseases. Although most studies of the metabolism of arachidonic acid over the past two decades have been directed toward the cyclooxygenase pathway, which yields diverse prostaglandins and thromboxanes, substantial evidence now indicates that some of the products of the lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid termed hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids (HETE's) are potent mediators of more fundamental importance than the cyclooxygenase products in numerous allergic and inflammatory states.Through early bioassay . . .