Studies on the mechanism of leukotriene induced coronary artery constriction.

Leukotriene (LT) C4, D4, and E4 at concentrations of 10 to 100 ng/ml were found to be potent coronary artery constrictors in the perfused cat coronary artery and perfused rat heart. In contrast, LTB4, was essentially inactive. The coronary constrictor effect of leukotrienes was not related to thromboxane release, but rather appeared to be due to a calcium mediated activation of specific leukotriene receptors.