In vivo synthesis of airway-active agents from arachidonic acid

Evidence is presented that arachidonic acid can be metabolized, in vivo, to the full spectrum of bronchoactive cyclo-oxygenase products. The predominant activity which results in the healthy lung may vary as a function of several factors, including the quantity and location of available substrate and the pre-existing contractile state of the airways. Production of bronchoactive leukotrienes appears to be minimal in the healthy lung, but the relationship between these two alternative pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism appears to be different in sensitized animals.