The effects of cigarette smoke on the fate of arachidonic acid in rat and hamster lungs

Carbon Monoxide is Not Responsible for the Cigarette Smoke‐induced Changes in the Pulmonary Metabolism of Arachidonic Acid and Prostaglandin E2

“…Analysis of lung lipids. The distribution of radioactivity in different lipid fractions was determined as described earlier (Jose & Seale 1978, Mannisto 1983).…”

“…oxygenated derivatives of arachidonic acid in the pulmonary circulation and the distribution of arachidonic acid within the lung tissue appear to be changed by cigarette smoke (Mannisto et al 1981;Matintalo & Uotila 1983;Mannisto 1983). Especially the amount of arachidonic acid in the triacylglycerols of lungs appears to be increased by cigarette smoke (Matintalo & Uotila 1983;Mannisto 1983). It is not clear which of the nearly 3000 different compounds existing in cigarette smoke are responsible for these changes.…”

“…Lungs regulate the circulating levels of many bioactive substances, including the oxygenated metabolites of arachidonic acid (Bakhle & Vane 1974). Cigarette smoke has been shown to interfere with the metabolism of arachidonic acid in isolated perfused hamster and rat lungs (Mannisto et al 1981;Mannisto 1983) as well as to inhibit the metabolism of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane Bz in isolated perfused hamster and rat lungs (Mannisto & Uotila 1982& 1983, Matintalo et al 1983. Carbon monoxide is a rather abundant constituent of cigarette smoke, and it is generally accepted to be a potentially dangerous agent for the health.…”