Potential role of arachidonic acid metabolites in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Hypoxic vasoconstriction is important for lung ventilation/perfusion matching. The mechanism of hypoxic vasoconstriction remains elusive. Arachidonic acid is released from hypoxic tissues; possibly vasoconstricting arachidonate metabolites are involved in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Data are presented that consider (a) lipoxygenase product(s) as "local," which could be involved in the hypoxia induced pulmonary vasoconstriction.