Changes in arachidonic acid-induced respiratory distress in streptozotocin-diabetic mice

Using streptozotocin (STZ) -diabetic mice, we examined the respiratory distress induced by arachidonic acid. Male ddY mice were made diabetic by injecting STZ (170mg/kg, i.p.) 2 weeks prior to the experiment. Control mice received the vehicle (citrate buffer, pH 4. 6). The duration of respiratory distress was observed by a slow i.v.-injection of sodium arachidonic acid (AA) into the caudal vein of mice at the dose of 50mg/kg. Aspirin was i.p.-administered 30 min before AA. OKY-046 (specific thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibitor), OP-41483 (stable prostacyclin analog) and 9, 11 epithia-11, 12-methano-TXA2 (STA2, stable TXA2 analog) were i.v.-administered 30 min before AA. The duration of respiratory distress induced by AA was significantly reduced in STZ-diabetic mice. Aspirin (10-50 mg/kg) and OKY-046 (25-100mg/kg) enhanced the AA-induced respiratory distress in STZ-diabetic mice. OP-41483 (1-100μg/kg) reduced the AA-induced effect in both control and STZ-diabetic mice. STA2 (10μg/kg) enhanced the AA-induced effect in both control and STZ-diabetic mice. ONO-1078 (1-10mg/kg) did not affect the AA-induced effect in both control and STZ-diabetic mice. TMK-688 (0.01-1mg/kg) reduced the AA-induced effect in the control mice, but not in the STZ-diabetic mice. These results suggest an involvement of leukotriene in the respiratory response to AA in diabetic mice, especially when cyclooxygenase and TXA2 synthetase are inhibited.