Leukotrienes in atopic eczema.

Involved skin in atopic eczema contains elevated levels of the 5-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, leukotriene B4. In addition, leukocytes of atopic eczema patients produce increased amounts of eicosanoids upon immunological challenge. These facts and the biological effects of eicosanoids suggest their involvement in the pathogenesis of cutaneous inflammation in atopic eczema, and may provide a new target for pharmacological treatment of this disease.