Inhibitory effects of a lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid on antagonism of leukotriene C4-induced contractions of isolated guinea-pig trachea

We have studied the effects of a lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) on antagonism of leukotriene (LT) C4-induced contractions of isolated guinea-pig trachea and the results were compared to that of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. NDGA (30 microM) as well as indomethacin (5 microM) inhibited LTC4-induced contractions. But, in the presence of indomethacin NDGA was ineffective to inhibit the LTC4 response, whereas two other lipoxygenase inhibitors, phenidone (3-30 microM) and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA, 10 microM), markedly inhibited it. The antagonist action of an LTD4 receptor antagonist FPL55712 against LTC4-induced contractions was significantly reduced by NDGA (10-30 microM), but indomethacin had no effect on it. NDGA possessed the same inhibitory effect on the LTC4 antagonism in the presence of indomethacin, but 0.3 microM phenidone and 1 microM ETYA which did not inhibit the LTC4 response had no effect on it. NDGA also inhibited the relaxant response of isoproterenol on the contraction elicited by 30 nM LTC4, but did not affect those of forskolin and aminophylline. The relaxant response of isoproterenol on the LTC4 response was not inhibited by indomethacin, 0.3 microM phenidone and 1 microM ETYA. In the presence of a gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase inhibitor, L-serine borate (SB, 45 mM), NDGA had no effect on the LTC4 antagonism and the relaxant response of isoproterenol. In contrast, NDGA significantly inhibited the relaxant response of isoproterenol on 30 microM histamine- and 30 microM acetylcholine-induced contractions, but it did not affect the histamine antagonism by a histamine H1-blocker pyrilamine. These results suggest that some putative non-prostanoids are involved in LTC4-induced contractions of guinea-pig trachea and which regulate the effects of LTD4 antagonism and beta-adrenoceptor activation.     

Arachidonate lipoxygenase inhibitors in guinea-pig isolated trachea. Effects on contractions to antigen and various agonists

We compared the effects of the leukotriene (LT) D4 receptor antagonist FPL55712 and some lipoxygenase inhibitors on contractions of isolated guinea-pig trachea induced by antigen (ovalbumin, OA) and calcium ionophore A23187 in the presence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 microM), and by arachidonic acid (AA), melittin and LTD4. FPL55712 (0.1 and 1 microM) inhibited contractions induced by AA (100 microM) and the phospholipase A2 activator melittin (3 micrograms/ml), while the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA, 10 microM) was a more effective inhibitor of the melittin response than the AA response. FPL55712 inhibited contractions induced by OA (100 micrograms/ml) more than by A23187 (1 microgram/ml), and these inhibitory effects of FPL55712 were much less in the presence of l-serine-borate complex (45 mM), an inhibitor of LTC4 conversion to LTD4. NDGA (10 microM) had no significant effect on the OA response, whereas the lipoxygenase inhibitors 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone (phenidone, 10 microM) and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA, 10 microM) clearly inhibited it. In contrast, NDGA and phenidone inhibited the A23187 response, but ETYA had no effect on it. FPL55712, phenidone and ETYA, but not NDGA, had a large inhibitory effect on LTD4-induced contractions, but these inhibitors had no effect on histamine-induced contractions. These results suggest that in the guinea-pig trachea inhibitors of LTD4-induced contractions decrease antigen-induced contractions, whereas lipoxygenase inhibitors reduce the contraction to A23187.     

Arachidonate lipoxygenase inhibitors in guinea-pig isolated trachea. Effects on contractions to antigen and various agonists

We compared the effects of the leukotriene (LT) D₄ receptor antagonist FPL55712 and some lipoxygenase inhibitors on contractions of isolated guinea-pig trachea induced by antigen (ovalbumin, OA) and calcium ionophore A23187 in the presence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 μM), and by arachidonic acid (AA), melittin and LTD₄. FPL55712 (0.1 and 1 μM) inhibited contractions induced by AA (100 μM) and the phospholipase A₂ activator melittin (3 μg/ml), while the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA, 10 μM) was a more effective inhibitor of the melittin response than the response. FPL55712 inhibited contractions induced by OA (100 μg/ml) more than by A23187 (1 μg/ml), and these inhibitory effects of FPL55712 were much less in the presence of l-serine-borate complex (45 mM), an inhibitor of LTC₄ conversion to LTD₄. NDGA (10 μM) had no significant effect on the OA response, whereas the lipoxygenase inhibitors 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone (phenidone, 10 μM) and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA, 10 μM) clearly inhibited it. In contrast, NDGA and phenidone inhibited the A23187 response, but ETYA had no effect on it. FPL55712, phenidone and ETYA, but not NDGA, had a large inhibitory effect on LTD₄-induced contractions, but these inhibitors had no effect on histamine-induced contractions. These results suggest that in the guinea-pig trachea inhibitors of LTD₄-induced contractions decrease antigen-induced contractions, whereas lipoxygenase inhibitors reduce the contraction to A23187.     

Effects of preload and eicosanoid synthesis inhibition on rat aortic smooth muscle sensitivity

Concentration-response curves to serotonin and phenylephrine were obtained from aortic strips subjected to low (0.75 g) and high (3.0) preloads in the presence and absence of eicosanoid synthesis inhibitors. The sensitivity of the strips to both agonists was greater in the high preload strips. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (28 microM), shifted the serotonin concentration-response curves to the right. However, the preload effect still remained. The lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (10 microM), not only decreased sensitivity to serotonin and phenylephrine, but eliminated the preload effect as well. These results suggest that 1) both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites affect the sensitivity of isolated arterial smooth muscle to vasoactive agents, and 2) lipoxygenase, but not cyclooxygenase, metabolites may play a role in the effect of preload on arterial smooth muscle sensitivity.     

Antagonism by ETYA of the effects of leukotrienes on ileum and lung parenchymal strips independent of effects on arachidonic acid metabolism

5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), a compound which inhibits both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism, antagonized the contraction of segments of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle produced by SRS-A (IC₅₀ = 2.73 μM). This activity was unaffected by pretreatment of the tissues with 10 μM indomethacin. Phenidone, another mixed cyclooxgenese-lipoxygenese inhibitor, was inactive. FPL-55712, an SRS-A antagonist, was a very potent inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 0.011 μM).BW755C and NDGA nonselectively inhibited the contractions of the guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle induced by SRS-A or histamine.ETYA antagonized the contraction of the guinea-pig ileal strip produced by 6 nM synthetic LTC₄ (IC₅₀ = 9.3 μM). FPL-55712 demonstrated an IC₅₀ of 0.3 μM in a similar series of experiments. ETYA, 1, 3 or 10 μM did not inhibit the contractions elicited by 0.5 μM of histamine.This was not a tissue-selective effect since 100 μM ETYA antagonized the LTC₄-induced contraction of the guinea-pig lung parenchymal strip preparation.These data demonstrate that ETYA antagonized the contractile effect of the leukotrienes on tissues from the gastrointestinal tract and lung. Furthermore, the inability of indomethacin or phenidone to inhibit the contractile response suggests that antagonism by ETYA may occur by a mechanism independent of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes.     

Inhibitors of arachidonic acid lipoxygenase impair the stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis by the T lymphocyte mitogen phytohaemagglutinin

Piriprost and nordihydroguiaretic acid (NDGA), specific inhibitors of arachidonate lipoxygenase, inhibited phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated breakdown of inositol lipids in human T lymphocytes. The dual inhibitors eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) and BW 755C, which inhibit both lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, also had similar actions, whereas indomethacin and acetylsalicyclic acid, which inhibit cyclooxygenase alone, did not. The effects of lipoxygenase inhibitors and dual inhibitors were reversible. These agents did not inhibit phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C (PIP2-PLC) in vitro. Bromophenacyl bromide, and irreversible inhibitor of phospholipase A2, also abolished PHA-stimulated inositol lipid breakdown without affecting PIP2-PLC in vitro. The results are consistent with a role for the PHA-stimulated generation of arachidonic acid and its conversion to lipoxygenase metabolites (e.g. leukotrienes and/or hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids) as intermediate steps in the signal transduction pathway between cell-surface mitogen receptors and the stimulation of PIP2-PLC in lymphocytes.     

Chemotactic response of human neutrophils to N-acetyl chitohexaose in vitro

N-Acetyl chitohexaose (NACOS-6) was able to display chemotactic response of human neutrophils in vitro. In order to analyze the mechanism, a series of chemotaxis studies by means of neutrophils treated with inhibitors of phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, or lipoxygenase to NACOS-6 was conducted. The treatment of neutrophils with inhibitors of phospholipase A2 or cyclooxygenase resulted in decrease of number of migrated cells. However, the lipoxygenase inhibitors did not exhibit the same effect. On the other hand, the treatment of neutrophils with inhibitors of phospholipase A2 or lipoxygenase resulted in decrease of chemotactic response to Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP), although the cyclooxygenase inhibitors did not inhibit chemotaxis of neutrophils. Neutrophils added to exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) caused an enhanced chemotactic response to NACOS-6. These results indicate that the mechanism of chemotactic response to NACOS-6 was different from that of FMLP, and that the response was enhanced by PGE2 released from the neutrophils with stimulation of NACOS-6.     

Pharmacological investigation of the mechanisms of platelet-activating factor induced mortality in the mouse

Although the platelets the mouse are refractory to the direct effects of platelet-activating-factor (PAF0, tail vein injection of 10–150 μg/kg PAF produces lethal anaphylatic shook. Sensitivity varies with strain and source: Swiss Webster mice show a range of sensitivity and DBA/2 (complement C5-deficient) mice are very resistant. At lethal doses within 15–45 min. Dexamethasone administered at least 1.5 hr prior consistently protects, whereas the cyclooxygenase inhibitors do not. Antihistamines, adrenergic antagonists, and methysergide have no effect, but cyproheptidine is partially protective at near lethal doses. Calcium entry blockers and calcium chelators, tetracyline and chlortetracycline are partially protective at very high doses consistent with non-specific effects on calcium dependent processes. The arachidonic acid lipoxygenase inhibitors BW755c, phenidone, nordihydroguai aretic acid and diphenyl disulfide provide nearly complete protection after oral administration of 50–200 mg/kg. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors and dapsone are also effectively orally. The luekotriene antagonist FPL55712 administered intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg) 5 min. prior to PAF challenge provides almost complete protection. PAF-induced mortality in the mouse represents a small animal model of systematic anaphylaxis particularly useful for the systematic testing of arachidonic acid lipoxygenase inhibitors and leukotriene antagonists.     

Influence of beta-radiation on human erythrocyte surface potential under eicosanoid metabolism inhibition

The aim of the research consisted in the study of influence of beta-radiation on response of erythrocyte surface potential to inhibitors of eicosanoid metabolism enzymes (cyclo-, lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2). It was shown, that inhibitors of phospholipase A2 (quinacrine, 10-100 microM), cyclooxygenase (aspirin, 10-100 microM) and cyclo- and lipoxygenase (BW755c, 1-100 microM) lowered electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of erythrocytes by 20-30%. An analogous effect can be exerted by beta-radiation. Nonradioactive leucine in the studied concentrations cannot simulate EPM erythrocytes. Response of cellular EPM to these inhibitors depended on their concentration in the incubation medium. Addition of 14C to the incubation medium changed response of EPM of cells to inhibitors of cyclo- and lipoxygenase but not to quinacrine. However beta-radiation fully abolished the stimulative action of nonspecific activator of phospholipase A2 (Ca-independent), H2O2, on cellular EPM. Under these conditions beta-radiation enhanced EPM response to aspirin only at concentration of 100 microM. The EPM response to BW755c is reduced by irradiation at all concentrations with the exception of equal-effective one (10 microM). Data obtained evidence for modification of eicosanoid metabolism by beta-radiation, probably, as a result of phospholipase A2 inhibition, as evident from elimination by radiation of stimulated action of hydrogen peroxide on EPM. The radiation action can also affect the cyclooxygenase lipoxygenase activity ratio, this activity being mediated by cellular membrane signaling systems.     

Inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced contraction of guinea pig lung strips

The effects of several enzyme inhibitors on arachidonic acid-induced contractions of guinea pig lung strips were studied. Varying concentrations of indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, produced only a limited effect on contraction of tissue strips. By contrast, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), and phenidone, which inhibit either lipoxygenase, or both lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, caused a dose-related antgonism of the arachidonic acid-induced contraction. The effects of these latter agents were similar to that of FPL 55712. Results indicate that the products of cyclooxygenase are predominantly involved in the early phase and the products of lipoxygenase are predominantly related to the late phase of arachidonic acid-induced contraction.     

Effects of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from the isolated perfused rat pancreas

Some of the metabolites of arachidonic acid formed in the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways stimulate insulin release. We studied the relative importance of each of these pathways in the modulation of glucose-induced insulin release by using inhibitors of arachidonate metabolism. Perfusion of the isolated rat pancreas with two chemically different inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, flurbiprofen and sodium salicylate, markedly inhibited prostaglandin E2 release, but had little effect on glucose-induced insulin release or on potentiation of insulin release caused by prior exposure to glucose. On the other hand, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lipoxygenase inhibitor, not only inhibited both phases of glucose-induced insulin release but also abolished the potentiation effect. These effects of NDGA prevailed, when it was administered together with flurbiprofen, which caused profound inhibition of prostaglandin E2 release. We conclude that 1) lipoxygenase pathways play a dominant role in glucose-stimulated insulin release, and 2) endogenous lipoxygenase metabolites influence the potentiating effect of glucose on the release of insulin in response to a subsequent stimulation.     

Pharmacological investigation of the mechanisms of platelet-activating factor induced mortality in the mouse

Although the platelets of the mouse are refractory to the direct effects of platelet-activating-factor (PAF), tail vein injection of 10-150 micrograms/kg PAF produces lethal anaphylactic shock. Sensitivity varies with strain and source: Swiss Webster mice show a range of sensitivity and DBA/2 (complement C5-deficient) mice are very resistant. At lethal doses of PAF, animals show labored respiration and general depression; death occurs within 15-45 min. Dexamethasone administered at least 1.5 hr prior consistently protects, whereas the cyclooxygenase inhibitors do not. Antihistamines, adrenergic antagonists, and methysergide have no effect, but cyproheptadine is partially protective at near lethal doses. Calcium entry blockers and calcium chelators, tetracycline and chlortetracycline are partially protective at very high doses consistent with non-specific effects on calcium dependent processes. The arachidonic acid lipoxygenase inhibitors BW755c, phenidone, nordihydroguaiaretic acid and diphenyldisulfide provide nearly complete protection after oral administration of 50-200 mg/kg. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors and dapsone are also effective orally. The leukotriene antagonist FPL55712 administered intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg) 5 min. prior to PAF challenge provides almost complete protection. PAF-induced mortality in the mouse represents a small animal model of systemic anaphylaxis particularly useful for the systemic testing of arachidonic acid lipoxygenase inhibitors and leukotriene antagonists.     

Effects of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents on experimental radiation pneumonitis

Corticosteroids have previously been found to be protective against the mortality of radiation pneumonitis in mice, even when given well after lethal lung irradiation. We explored the possibility that this effect was due to their well-known anti-inflammatory actions by giving various nonsteroidal inhibitors of arachidonate metabolism to groups of mice that had received 19 Gy to the thorax (bilaterally). Treatments of four cyclooxygenase inhibitors, one lipoxygenase inhibitor, and one leukotriene receptor antagonist, given by various routes in various doses, were commenced 10 weeks after irradiation or sham irradiation and continued throughout the period when death from radiation pneumonitis occurs, 11-26 weeks after irradiation. Each of the treatments had the appropriate effect on arachidonate metabolism in the lungs as assessed by LTB4 and PGE2 levels in lung lavage fluid. The principal end point was mortality. The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor diethylcarbamazine and the LTD4/LTE4 receptor antagonist LY 171883 markedly reduced mortality in dose-response fashion. The effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors were divergent; piroxicam and ibuprofen were marginally protective, indomethacin in all doses accelerated mortality, and aspirin reduced mortality in a dose-response fashion. These results suggest that the protective effect of corticosteroids in radiation pneumonitis can be tentatively attributed to their anti-inflammatory actions, and that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, particularly those that affect lipoxygenase products, may offer equal or better protection than corticosteroids against mortality due to radiation pneumonitis.     

Calcium and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity in mouse epidermis cytosol. Stimulation by complete and incomplete tumor promoters and inhibition by various compounds

Calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (Ca, PL-PK) activity is detectable in mouse epidermis cytosol. It can be stimulated in vitro by complete and incomplete tumor promoters (12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 12-0-retinoylphorbol-13-acetate (RPA], respectively. Effective inhibition of the enzyme activity is achieved with quercetin and phloretin, whereas the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and esculetin show just weak or no inhibition. Quercetin inhibits the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase equally well as the Ca, PL-PK, whereas the strong Ca, PL-PK inhibitor phloretin is absolutely ineffective in inhibiting the lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase. The application of these inhibitors in differentiating tumor promoter induced effects in vivo is proposed.     

Azelastine potentiates the prostaglandin-induced increase of cyclic AMP content in human platelets and in guinea-pig alveolar macrophages.

The effect of azelastine on intracellular cyclic AMP concentration and on various indexes of cell activation was evaluated in guinea-pig alveolar macrophages and in human platelets. The effect of azelastine was further investigated on adenylate cyclase activity using membranes and homogenates from guinea-pig alveolar macrophages. Pretreatment of alveolar macrophages with azelastine prevented the activation induced by PAF-acether and by the chemotactic peptide fMLP as estimated by the reduced liberation of arachidonic acid metabolites formed by the cyclooxygenase and the lipoxygenase pathways. The effect of azelastine was concentration-dependent (50 to 500 microM) and reversible. Similarly, a short pretreatment with azelastine (100 microM) prevented arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation. This effect was also reversible after washing the platelets. In guinea-pig alveolar macrophages, azelastine induced a concentration-dependent (10 to 500 microM) increase in intracellular cyclic AMP and markedly potentiated the increase induced by PGE2. In human platelets, azelastine alone increased intracellular cyclic AMP concentration marginally only but, as in the case of macrophages, synergized with PGI2. Azelastine did not activate significantly adenylate cyclase unless a cytosolic factor was included within the membrane fraction. This effect of azelastine was not due to Ca2+ movements and was not modified by GTP. Our findings show that azelastine interferes with cell activation through a mechanism related to an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP concentration. The increase in cyclic AMP was induced by azelastine in intact cells and in homogenates but not in a crude membrane fraction. Those results indicate that azelastine modifies a cytosolic factor that may be phosphodiesterase. In addition, similarities between the effects of azelastine and those of reference phosphodiesterase inhibitors (theophylline, isobutyl-methyl-xanthine) are shown in this study, suggesting that azelastine might behave as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor.     

Effects of prostaglandins on intraocular pressure recovery rate in rabbits

The actions of a number of prostaglandins (PGs) were studied in unanesthetized rabbits using an intraocular pressure (IOP) recovery-rate method. In topical doses of 0.1 to 10 micrograms, these compounds accelerated the rate at which IOP returned to control levels after an infusion of hypertonic saline. In general, PGE1 appeared more potent than the other PGs at these doses. Arachidonic acid also increased the IOP recovery rate. The effect of arachidonic acid was completely blocked by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Recovery rate responses to arachidonic acid were increased further after pretreatment with the lipoxygenase inhibitor phenidone. When administered alone, phenidone itself accelerated IOP recovery; this action was also blocked by indomethacin. The IOP recovery rate method appears to be a useful tool for studying ocular effects of PGs and other products or inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism.     

Eicosanoids and linoleate-enhanced growth of mouse mammary tumor cells.

Metastatic mouse mammary tumor cell line 4526 was used to determine whether linoleate (LN)-derived cyclooxygenase metabolites were involved in the mechanism of LN-enhanced 4526 tumor growth. Unstimulated line 4526 cells converted LN to both PGE1 and PGE2 in serum free medium (SFM). However, neither prostaglandin (PG) influenced growth, while db-cGMP, but not db-cAMP, stimulated growth to the same extent as LN. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors stimulated growth while suppressing PG synthesis. Lipoxygenase inhibitors decreased growth in a dose dependent manner. Supplemental LN had no effect on cyclooxygenase inhibition while the IC50s for lipoxygenase inhibition were increased several fold. These results indicate that lipoxygenase products rather than cyclooxygenase metabolites play a major role in LN-stimulated growth of line 4526 cells.     

Effects of prostaglandins on intraocular pressure recovery rate in rabbits

The actions of a number of prostaglandins (PGs) were studied in unanesthetized rabbits using an intraocular pressure (IOP) recovery-rate method. In topical doses of 0.1 to 10 μg, these compounds accelerated the rate at which IOP returned to control levels after an infusion of hypertonic saline. In general, PGE₁ appeared more potent than the other PGs at these doses. Arachidonic acid also increased the IOP recovery rate. The effect of arachidonic acid was completely blocked by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Recovery rate responses to arachidonic acid were increased further after pretreatment with the lipoxygenase inhibitor phenidone. When administered alone, phenidone itself accelerated IOP recovery; this action was also blocked by indomethacin. The IOP recovery rate method appears to be a useful tool for studying ocular effects of PGs and other products or inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism.     

Inhibitory effects of a lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid on antagonism of leukotriene C4-induced contractions of isolated guinea-pig trachea

We have studied the effects of a lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) on antagonim of leukotriene (LT) C₄-induced contractions of isolated guinea-pig trachea and the results were compared to that of a cycloocygenase inhibitor indomethacin, NDGA (30 μM) as well as idomethacin (5 μM) inhibited LTC₄-iduced contraction. But in the presence of indomethacin NDGA was ineffective to inhibit the LTC₄ response, whereas two other lipoxygenase inhibitors, phenidone (3–30 μM) and 5,8,11,14-eicostatetraynoic acid (ETYA, 10 μM), markedly inhibited it. The antagonist action of an LTD₄ receptor antagonist FPL55712 against LTC₄-induced contractions was significantly reduced by NDGA (10–30 μM), but indomethacin had no effect on it. NDGA possessed the same inhibitory effect n the LTC₄ antagonism in the presence of indomethacin, but 0.3 μM phenidone and 1 μM ETYA which did not inhibit the LTC₄ response had no effect on it. NDGA also inhibited the relaxant response of isoproterenol on the contraction elicited by 30 nM LTC₄, but did not affect those of forskolin and aminophylline. The relaxant response of isoproterenol on the LCT₄ response was not inhibited by indomethacin, 0.3 μM phenidone and 1 μM ETYA. In the presence of a γ-glutamyltranspeptidase inhibitor, L-serine borate (SB, 45 mM), NDGA had no effect on the LTC₄ antagonism and the relaxant response of isoproterenol. In contrast, NDGA significantly inhibited the relaxant response of isoproterenol on 30 μM histamine- and 30 μM acetylcholine-induced contractions, but it did not affect the histamine antagonism by a histamine H₁-blocker pyrilamine. These results suggest that some putative nonprostanoids are involved in LTC₄-induced contractions of guinea-pig trachea and which regulate the effects of LTD₄ antagonism and β-adrenoceptor activation.