TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE-STIMULATED RELEASE OF ARACHIDONIC-ACID METABOLITES IN THE ORGAN BATH FROM GUINEA-PIG AIRWAYS

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate whether metabolites of arachidonic acid play a role in the contractile response to toluene diisocyanate in isolated guinea pig airways. In control experiments we collected the supernatant from an organ bath over a time period of 2 h, after the addition to toluene diisocyanate (100 and 300 μM), and after the addition of toluene diisocyanate (300 μM) in the presence of indomethacin (5 μM). We measured prostaglandin E 2 , 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α , protaglandin F 2α , thromboxane B 2 , leukotriene B 4 , leukotriene C 4 /D 4 /E 4 /F 4 by radioimmunoassays. Levels of protaglandin F 2α and 6-ketoprostaglandin F 1α increased significantly after addition of toluene diisocyanate in the absence of indomethacin. These results suggest that prostaglandins are involed in toluene diisocyanate-induced contractions in guinea-pig airways.