Deng_2003_Zhejiang.Da.Xue.Xue.Bao.Yi.Xue.Ban_32_296

OBJECTIVE: To investigate antigen-induced changes of leukotriene B(4)(LTB(4))content and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression in lung tissue and cerebral cortex in sensitized rats.
METHODS: The contents of LTB(4) in lung tissue and cerebral cortex homogenates and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression after antigen challenge by aerosol were respectively detected by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULT: The LTB(4) levels in lung tissue and cerebral cortex homogenates in asthmatic rats were significantly higher than those in control (P%0.05), and LTA4-hydrolase mRNA expression was also increased in asthmatic group. Dexamethason(DXM, 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the LTB(4) content and inhibited the LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression significantly in asthmatic rats(P%0.05). CONCLUSION: LTB(4) content and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression in cerebral cortex and lung tissue are increased in asthmatic rats, and there may exist neuroimmunological cross-talking between central nervous system and lung tissue in asthma.