Lipoxygenase inhibitor-provoked acute asthma in a patient with asthma relieved by aspirin.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A very small number of patients with asthma show symptomatic improvement after administration of aspirin and other cyclooxygenase inhibitors. The clinical features of such patients with so-called aspirin-relieved asthma are similar to those with aspirin-induced asthma, but the pathogenesis is unclear.

METHODS:

We encountered one confirmed aspirin-relieved asthma patient and investigated the effects of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors on his condition.

RESULTS:

Our patient showed a marked improvement of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after administration of aspirin and three other cyclooxygenase inhibitors (indomethacin, mefenamic acid, and ketoprofen). A 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (AA861, Takeda, Japan), however, evoked acute asthma, and repeated administration of this drug resulted in some desensitization, but not complete tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest an altered balance of arachidonic acid metabolism may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of aspirin-relieved asthma.

• Authors: S Imokawa, A Sato, M Taniguchi, M Toyoshima, H Hayakawa, K Chida
• Journal: Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol) Vol. 75 Issue 2 Pg. 112-4 (Aug 1995) ISSN: 1081-1206 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7648373 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Benzoquinones
• Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
• 2,3,5-trimethyl-6-(12-hydroxy-5,10-dodecadiynyl)-1,4-benzoquinone
• Aspirin

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Aspirin (therapeutic use)
• Asthma (drug therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Benzoquinones (immunology)
• Humans
• Lipoxygenase Inhibitors (immunology)
• Male
• Middle Aged