Colonic expression of leukotriene-pathway enzymes in inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract

The 5-lipoxygenase data provide a cellular basis for increased tissue synthesis of the leukotriene B(4), as reflected in the colonic mucosa and rectal dialysates of patients with active inflammatory bowel disease, which contributes to neutrophil influx and colonic injury. The COX-1/COX-2 data highlight the ambiguous functional role of prostanoid pathways in inflammatory bowel diseases.