[Influence of endotoxin on the synthesis of lipoxygenase products formed from arachidonic acid by rat alveolar macrophages].

Alveolar macrophages of normal and endotoxin--treated rats were stimulated in suspension by calcium ionophore A 23187. After solid phase extraction and isocratic separation by HPLC the lipoxygenase products (Leukotriene B4, 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenioc acid) were quantified. Unlike alveolar macrophages of control animals, alveolar macrophages of endotoxin treated rats showed an increased synthesis of lipoxygenase products (Leukotriene B4: 1.6fold; 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid: 2.1fold; 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid: 1.3fold). Our results suggest that in vivo endotoxin disturbs the mechanisms of arachidonic acid liberation in alveolar macrophages.