Tumour necrosis factor production in a rat airpouch model of inflammation: role of eicosanoids.

TNF is a potent cytokine which can induce many of the pathological changes associated with inflammatory disease. In vitro studies have demonstrated that 5-lipoxygenase products promote the production of TNF by activated macrophages, suggesting that 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors may have therapeutic utility for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. A rat airpouch model of inflammation has been used to investigate the relationship between eicosanoid generation and TNF production in vivo. Injection of zymosan into the airpouch caused a time-dependent stimulation of TNF production which preceded leukotriene generation by at least 30 minutes. Injection of LPS into the airpouch also stimulated TNF production but not leukotriene generation. The selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, ICI207968, A64077 and BWA4C, and the 5-lipoxygenase translocation inhibitor MK886, decreased leukotriene generation but enhanced TNF production. Taken together, these results do not support a role for 5-lipoxygenase products in the regulation of TNF production in vivo.