14,15-LeukotrieneD4 (14,15-LTD4) is a member of an alternate class of LTs synthesized by a pathway involving the dual actions of 15- and 12-lipoxygenases (15- and 12-LOs) on arachidonic acid via 15-HpETE and 14,15-LTA4 intermediates. 14,15-LTD4 is classified as an eoxin (EXD4), because it is formed mostly by eosinophils. However, mast cells and nasal polyps can synthesize 14,15-LTD4 as well. Little is known about the physiological actions of 14,15-LTD4. It has weak contractile activity on both guinea pig ileum and pulmonary parenchyma in contrast to the effects of 5-LO-derived LTs. However, in an in vitro permeability assay, 14,15-LTD4 can increase vascular permeability of human endothelial cell monolayers, with similar potency to that of 5-LO-derived LTs, resulting in plasma leakage, a hallmark of inflammation.
11-trans LeukotrieneD4 (11-trans LTD4) is a C-11 double bond isomer of LTD4. LTD4 undergoes slow temperature-dependent isomerization to 11-trans LTD4 during storage. 11-trans LTD4 retains about 10-25 % of the potency for contraction of guinea pig ileum, trachea and parenchyma compared to LTD4. It exhibits an ED50 ranging between 12-60 nM for contraction of guinea pig trachea.
Verlukast is an (R)-enantiomer of MK-571 and a potent and selective LTD4 receptor antagonist. Verlukast showed [3H]leukotrieneD4 binding in guinea-pig (IC50 = 3.1 +/- 0.5 nM) and human (IC50 = 8.0 +/- 3.0 nM) lung homogenates and dimethyl sulfoxide diffe