Increased airway leukotriene levels in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia
R. Mirro, W. Armstead and C. Leffler
Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee, Memphis.
The sulphidopeptide leukotrienes (C4, D4, and E4) are potent airway
constrictors that have been detected in the airways of infants with
pulmonary hypertension and viral infections. The present study was
undertaken to test the hypothesis that leukotrienes in tracheal lavage
fluid are elevated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Twenty-six intubated
infants (10 with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 9 with hyaline membrane
disease, and 7 normal controls) had tracheal lavage leukotriene levels
determined by radioimmunoassay. Lavage fluid cell counts (alveolar
macrophages) and leukotriene levels were significantly increased in infants
with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The increased concentration of
leukotrienes seen in the infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia would
suggest a possible role for these compounds in the pathophysiology of this
disease.
