Comparative potency and pharmacology of isomers of leukotriene D4 on guinea-pig trachea: Requirement for a 5(S)6(R) configuration

The relative contractile activity of C₅ and C₆ diastereomers of Leukotriene D₄ (LTD₄), as well as 11-trans stereoisomers were evaluated in guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle. 5(S)6(R) LTD₄ was 1000 times more potent than histamine as a contractile agent. While a change of the 11-ethylenic bond from to resulted in a four fold decrease in potency, a change in configuration of the 5-hydroxyl group and/or the 6-peptide adduct resulted in a decrease in potency of at least 2 to 3 orders of magnitude. The contractile activity of all LTD₄ isomers was inhibited by FPL 55712, whereas indomethacin markedly enhanced the contractile activity of 5(S)6(R) LTD₄, but appeared to have less of an effect on the other diastereomers. The results demonstrate the critical nature of configuration of the 5-hydroxyl and the 6-peptide adduct of eicosatetraenoic acid for maintenance of high affinity for receptors.