Leukotrienes LTB4 and LTC4 in thermally injured patients' plasma and burn blister fluid

Radioimmunoassays for 5(S), 12(R)-dihydroxyeicosa-6, 14-cis, 8,10-trans-tetraenoic acid (leukotriene B4, LTB4) and 5(S)-hydroxy-6(R)-L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycinyleicosa-7,9- trans, 11,14-cis-tetraenoic acid (leukotriene C4, LTC4) have been used to quantify the concentrations of these arachidonic acid metabolites in plasma (12 patients) and blister fluid (6 patients) of burned patients. The results of this study demonstrate that, in general, burn plasma LTB4, and LTC4 were not elevated; however, in individual cases, transient high levels of leukotrienes were observed. Correlation between leukotriene "peaks" and the clinical course could not be established. High levels of LTB4 and LTC4 in burn blister fluid suggest their participation in local inflammatory reactions.