Inhibitory effects of MK-886 on arachidonic acid metabolism in human phagocytes.

1. We have investigated the inhibitory activity of compound MK-886 (formerly L-663,536), an indole derivative, on 5-lipoxygenase product synthesis in various human phagocytes stimulated with either the ionophore A23187, in the presence and absence of exogenous arachidonic acid, or platelet-activating factor (PAF). The lipoxygenase products were analysed by reversed-phase h.p.l.c. 2. MK-886 inhibited the formation of 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), its omega-oxidation products and 6-trans-isomers with an IC50 value of 10-14 nM in A23187-stimulated neutrophils. In the same system, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), AA-861 and L-655,240 showed IC50 values of 250-510, 110-420 nM and 1.7-3.9 microM, respectively. 3. MK-886 inhibited 5-lipoxygenase product synthesis in A23187-stimulated blood eosinophils and monocytes, and in neutrophils primed with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and stimulated with PAF with IC50 values of 1-13 nM. 4. The inhibitory activity of MK-886 was not reversed by addition of 10 microM arachidonic acid to A23187-stimulated neutrophils. 5. Compound MK-886 had no effect on 15-lipoxygenase product synthesis in blood eosinophils and neutrophils up to a concentration of 1 microM. 6. At 100 nM compound MK-886 had no significant effects on calcium ion mobilization, superoxide anion production and actin polymerization in neutrophils. 7. In conclusion, MK-886 is a very potent and specific inhibitor of both LTB4 and LTC4 synthesis in various types of human phagocytes.