CORE FOUNDATIONS FOR MEDICINE TUTORIAL ON EICOSANOIDS
Leukotrienes
Aspirin Sensitivity
In some patients, moderate to high doses of aspirin may induce bronchioconstriction and accentuate immune responses.
This can have serious consequences during an asthma attack or in some types of allergic reactions.
The mechanism is as follows:
- Aspirin decreases prostaglandin production.
- Arachidonic acid produced by activation of phospholipase A2 is funneled into to leukotriene production.
- The excess leukotrienes that are produced inappropriately stimulate the immune response.
- Leukotrienes are bronchio-constrictors. The excess production of leukotrienes may narrow the airways to a dangerous degree.
