5-Lipoxygenase inhibition by antifungal azole derivatives: new tools for immunosuppression?

The effect of novel azole derivatives (itraconazole and fluconazole) on 5-lipoxygenase activity was examined using human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) as the enzyme source. The novel imidazole derivative itraconazole proved to be a potent inhibitor (IC50 2 X 10(-6) M) of 5-lipoxygenase activity. In contrast, fluconazole, an antifungal agent with bistriazole structure, had no effect on the Ca2+ ionophore A 23187-induced formation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites in PMNL.