Role of prostaglandins and leukotrienes in volume regulation by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

PGE2 and LTC4 syntheses in Ehrlich ascites cells were measured by radioimmunoassay. Hypotonic swelling results in stimulation of the leukotriene synthesis and a concomitant reduction in the prostaglandin synthesis. If the cells have access to sufficient arachidonic acid there is a parallel increase in the synthesis of both leukotrienes and prostaglandins following hypotonic exposure. PGE2 significantly inhibits regulatory volume decrease (RVD) following hypotonic swelling in Na-containing medium but not in Na-free media, supporting the hypothesis that the effect of PGE2 is on the Na permeability. PGE2 also had no effect on RVD in Na-free media in the presence of the cation ionophore gramicidin. Since the Cl permeability becomes rate limiting for RVD in the presence of gramicidin, whereas the K permeability is rate limiting in its absence, it is concluded that PGE2 neither affects Cl nor K permeability. Addition of LTD4 accelerates RVD and since the K permeability is rate limiting for RVD this shows that LTD4 stimulates the K permeability. Inhibition of the leukotriene synthesis by nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibits RVD even when a high K conductance has been ensured by the presence of gramicidin. It is, therefore, proposed that an increase in leukotriene synthesis after hypotonic swelling is involved also in the activation of the Cl transport pathway.