Direct Evidence That LTC₄and LTB₄But Not TXA₂Are Involved in Asthma Attacks in Children

There are substantial numbers of reports showing that leukotrienes (LTs) play important roles in adult asthma. No definite evidence has been demonstrated that LTs are involved in asthma attacks in children, although it is highly expected. In this report, we demonstrated that the levels of LTB4 and LTC4 but not thromboxane B2 (TXB2), a stable metabolite of TXA2, were significantly elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which was obtained from intubated and mechanically ventilated children with severe asthma attacks. This is direct evidence that LTB4 and LTC4 predominantly participate in asthma attacks in pediatric patients.