Lipid inflammatory mediators: leukotrienes, prostaglandins, platelet-activating factor.

The lipid mediators, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and PAF play an important role in the complex inflammatory process of airway eosinophilia, edema hypersecretion of mucus, and AHR observed in patients with asthma. These mediators are also likely key participants in the pathogenesis of other allergic diseases. An important goal of future research is to clarify the complex interactions between the lipid mediators and the inflammatory stimuli that regulate their production. Novel inhibitors and antagonists of the lipid mediators, such as the CysLT1 receptor antagonists, have recently been developed that have great promise in the treatment of allergic diseases.