Systemic hemodynamic effects of leukotrienes C4 and D4 in the rat.

Although local administration of the sulfidopeptide leukotrienes into cutaneous and coronary vascular beds indicates that these naturally occurring metabolites of arachidonic acid are vasoconstrictors, their systemic administration has produced both pressor and depressor responses. The systemic hemodynamic effects of intravenous leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and leukotriene D4 (LTD4) were assessed in ether-anesthetized rats and compared with the effects produced by equimolar doses (2 X 10(-10) to 4 X 10(-8) mol/kg) of norepinephrine and angiotensin. Mean arterial pressure, right atrial pressure, and cardiac output (electromagnetic flowmetry) were recorded during bolus administrations of these vasoactive compounds. LTC4 and LTD4 had similar hemodynamic effects that were characterized by moderate pressure elevations produced by dose-dependent increases in total peripheral resistance, since cardiac output declined. Although the peak mean arterial pressure levels produced by LTC4 and LTD4 (135 +/- 7 and 129 +/- 5 mmHg, respectively) were less than those by norepinephrine (157 +/- 3 mmHg) and angiotensin (174 +/- 5 mmHg), the peak total peripheral resistance values of LTC4 and LTD4 (2.23 +/- 0.32 and 1.86 +/- 0.17 mmHg X ml-1 X min-1, respectively) were between those of the well-known vasopressors, norepinephrine (1.50 +/- 0.09) and angiotensin (2.72 +/- 0.41). The pressor response to LTC4 and LTD4 was less marked than that to norepinephrine and to angiotensin because of the concomitant reduction in cardiac output. These results indicate that LTC4 and LTD4 are systemic vasoconstrictors with potencies similar to those of norepinephrine and angiotensin.