Mechanical response of rabbit myocardium and coronary arteries to leukotriene D4. Failure to demonstrate a role in the pathophysiology of hypoxia.

Abstract

We have studied the effect of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) on rabbit and rat myocardial contractility and on rabbit coronary arteries. A concentration of 2 X 10(-7) M caused only a small reduction of myocardial contractility, but caused a contraction of smooth muscle in coronary arteries similar to that obtained with potassium (30 mmoles/liter). LTD4 (2 X 10(-7) M) added to the perfusate 10 min before or at the time of reoxygenation after a period of 30 min of hypoxia did not alter contractility or resting tension. LTD4 is unlikely to be a contributing factor in the initiation of cell necrosis on reoxygenation of hypoxic myocardium.