Evidence of leukotriene B4 biosynthesis in epithelial lens cells.

Metabolism of sodium (14C)-arachidonate by bovine epithelial lens cells was studied in culture. The cells converted arachidonic acid into a major product whose formation was not inhibited by aspirin, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, but was suppressed by nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a lipoxygenase inhibitor and by dexamethasone. This metabolite co-migrated with leukotriene B4 in thin layer chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography. These data represent the first evidence for a lipoxygenase product in the lens. LTB4 could play an important role in the physiopathology of this organ.