Pharmacology and Physiology of Leukotrienes and Their Antagonists (original) (raw)

The pharmacology and physiology of leukotrienes (LTs) are crucial for understanding their role in asthma and for developing novel therapies targeting LT receptors. Studies indicate that LTs, particularly LTC4 and LTD4, have significant bronchoconstrictor effects, being approximately one thousand times more potent than histamine. Despite the utility of human lung tissue studies, in vitro models do not fully replicate in vivo airway hyperresponsiveness seen in asthma. Research into inhaled LTs reveals similarities to histamine in inducing bronchoconstriction but differs in certain side effects.