Leukotriene B₄ in inflammatory bowel disease

Leukotriene B₄ is an inflammatory mediator produced by metabolism of arachidonic acid through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in neutrophils, macrophages and mast cells. The major biological effect of leukotriene B₄ is the activation of circulating neutrophils to bind to the vascular endothelium and migrate into inflamed tissues. There are markedly elevated levels of leukotriene B₄ an inflammatory bowel disease and there is considerable evidence that it is an important neutrophil activator in this disease. Preliminary studies suggest that inhibition of leukotriene B₄ synthesis may be therapeutic in inflammatory bowel disease.