Prostaglandin-generating factor of anaphylaxis induces mucous glycoprotein release and the formation of lipoxygenase products of arachidonate from human airways.

The effects of prostaglandin-generating factor of anaphylaxis (PGF-A) upon the lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid and the promotion of mucous glycoprotein secretion by human airways were analyzed concurrently in order to determine the role that lipoxygenase products play in the secretion of mucus which accompanies immediate hypersensitivity reactions of airways. PGF-A enhanced both mucous glycoprotein release and the 5- and 15-lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid as well as the formation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) with similar dose-response relationships. The capacity of PGF-A to stimulate mucous glycoprotein release was inhibited by ETYA but not by indomethacin, suggesting that PGF-A stimulated lipoxygenase products may be involved. Lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid thus may serve as mediators of the enhancement of mucus secretion from human airways in response to PGF-A.