The release of a leukotriene D4-like substance following myocardial infarction in rabbits.

Myocardial infarction was induced in rabbits and 24-48 h later the hearts were removed and perfused in vitro with the coronary effluent superfusing a guinea-pig ileum. The formyl tripeptide (FMLP: 10-100 ng) induced the dose-related release of a substance which contracted the ileum, an effect mimicked by exogenous LTD4 (2-200 ng), blocked by FPL 55712 (2 micrograms/ml) and inhibited with BW755C (2 micrograms/ml) but not indomethacin (1 micrograms/ml). The delayed release of this LTD4-like material may suggest a role in the complications accompanying myocardial infarction.