Imbalance Between Leukotriene Synthesis and Catabolism Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Allergic Diseases

Recently, there has been great progress in elucidating the biochemistry of the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. The abnormal production of leukotrienes (LTs), due to the unbalanced-regulation of synthesizing and catabolizing enzymes, is probably induced by many bioactive substances, including Th2 cell-derived cytokines. Imbalances in these processes may play an important role in allergic reactions and other inflammatory diseases, thus making them potentially prime therapeutic targets for these diseases. Further studies on the regulation of LT-synthesis and catabolism are therefore required to clarify the importance of these imbalances on the initiation and progression of allergic and inflammatory diseases.