Thromboxane A2 production in allergen-induced immediate and late asthmatic responses. Its possible role in inducing the late response.

To determine whether thromboxane A2 (TXA2) participates in allergen-induced asthmatic responses, we measured plasma TXB2 levels during allergen-induced immediate and late asthmatic responses (IAR and LAR) in atopic asthmatics. We also examined the effect of a TXA2 synthetase inhibitor, OKY-046, on the responses. Plasma TXB2 levels increased in both IAR and LAR, being 2.2 times higher in LAR than in IAR. Plasma TXB2 levels in LAR reached the peak 4 hours after allergen challenge when FEV1 had just begun to decrease in LAR. OKY-046 inhibited both IAR and LAR with decreased plasma TXB2 levels. We conclude that TXA2 is produced in allergen-induced asthmatic responses and participates in the responses, especially in inducing LAR.