Leukotrienes in the rat central nervous system.

Leukotrienes C4, D4, and E4 were isolated after incubation of rat brain tissue in vitro with the ionophore A23187 and arachidonic acid. Identification of the compounds was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography, radioimmunoassay, and bioassay. Average production of leukotrienes C4, D4, and E4 during 10 min of incubation was estimated to 25, 8, and 0.7 pmol per g of brain tissue (wet weight), respectively. Radioimmunoassay determinations indicated in vitro biosynthesis of leukotriene C4 in most regions of the brain, with the highest levels obtained in the hypothalamus and the median eminence. In slices from the caudate nucleus, ionophore A23187 caused a dose-dependent stimulation of leukotriene C4 formation with maximal effect at 5 microM. Leukotriene C4 synthesis of rat brain tissue was inhibited by 30 microM nordihydroguaiaretic acid. Finally, using the indirect immunofluorescence technique, nerve endings in the median eminence and cell bodies in the preoptic area reacting with antibodies raised against leukotriene C4 were observed.