SYNTHESIS OF EICOSANOIDS BY CIRCULATING MONONUCLEARS IN HEALTHY PEOPLE AND IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

The synthesis of some of the products of cycloxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) in mononuclear cells (MNCs) in vitro was studied with [H-3]AA in five healthy subjects and five patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). FGA, ionophor CaA23187 and levamisole were investigated. The eicosanoid synthesis by nonstimulated MNCs of the patients was normal. Mitogens augmented the outcome of PGs, TXB2 and HETE and increased the outcome of LTB4 in comparison with the control group. In liver pathology prostanoid and LT synthesis differed. In patients, but not in healthy subjects, prednisone suppressed eicosanoid production stimulated by FGA and reduced LTB4 and HETE outcome in MNCs treated by ionopohor. The role of LTB4 hyperproduction in the pathogenesis of LC and the possibility of prednisone-induced suppression of synthesis of lipoxygenase metabolites in MNCs are discussed.