Leukotriene D4 increases pulmonary vascular permeability and pressure by different mechanisms in the rabbit.

We designed experiments to define the effects of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) in the rabbit lung and to determine whether or not these effects were due to the synthesis of cyclooxygenase products. Infusion of LTD4 (0.01, 0.03, and 0.10 microgram) into the rabbit pulmonary vasculature caused a dose-related increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and tracheal pressure. Pretreatment with FPL 55712 (38 microM), a leukotriene receptor antagonist, or indomethacin (10 micrograms/ml of perfusate) completely prevented the increase in tracheal and pulmonary arterial pressure. We also studied the effect of LTD4 on pulmonary vascular permeability by measuring lung weight gain at 4 levels of left atrial pressures (0, 5, 10, and 15 mmHg). Leukotriene D4 increased lung weight gain at all levels of left atrial pressure compared with that in the control group. Pretreatment with FPL 55712 completely inhibited the increase in vascular permeability caused by LTD4. Although pretreatment with indomethacin blocked the increase in tracheal and vascular pressure caused by LTD4, it did not prevent the increase in vascular permeability. We conclude that in the rabbit, LTD4 increases tracheal pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, and pulmonary vascular permeability. Leukotriene D4 increases tracheal and pulmonary arterial pressure by stimulating the synthesis of cyclooxygenase products, and it increases vascular permeability through a mechanism that does not require the synthesis of cyclooxygenase products.