Role of Leukotrienes on Coronary Vasoconstriction in Isolated Hearts of Arthritic Rats: Effect of in vivo Treatment with CI-986, a Dual Inhibitor of Cyclooxygenase and Lipoxygenase

In this study, coronary perfusion pressure and force of contraction were investigated in isolated hearts removed from arthritic rats by using the Langendorff method. A strong coronary vasoconstriction was determined in arthritic hearts which was associated with elevated levels of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) products, leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) and LTC 4 in coronary effluents. In vivo treatment with the dual inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX) and LOX, CI-986 (2 and 10 mg/kg/day) on days 14– 26 following adjuvant injection, prevented the coronary vasoconstriction and the increased production of LTB 4 and LTC 4 . These results suggest that the coronary vasoconstriction in the isolated arthritic hearts is associated with an increased activity of the LOX system and CI-986 could have a preventive effect on constriction of coronary arteries.