Potent vasoconstriction of the isolated perfused rat kidney by leukotrienes C4 and D4.

Chemically synthesized leukotriene C4, D4, and E4 have been compared for their effects on the isolated Krebs-perfused rat kidney, rat stomach strip, and guinea pig ileum. C4 was more potent than D4 or E4 at all concentrations tested in contracting the rat stomach strip and in constricting the isolated rat kidney, while D4 was more potent than C4 or E4 in contracting the guinea pig ileum. While the effect of leukotrienes on the isolated kidney was blocked dose dependantly by FPL 55712, a blocker of leukotriene action, it was not blocked by the presence of either indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase blocker, or OKY-1581, a blocker of thromboxane synthesis. These results indicate that leukotriene action in the kidney is of a direct nature and is not mediated via activation of the prostaglandin pathway, especially thromboxane A2 synthesis.