Studies on the role of leukotrienes in murine allergic and irritant contact dermatitis

A specific peptidoleukotriene receptor antagonist, Ro 23-3544, was tested for its efficacy in modulating DNFB-induced allergic and croton oil-induced irritant contact dermatitis in mouse ears. Treatment shortly after elicitation of the dermatitis, and for up to 5 days thereafter, was moderately effective in suppressing DNFB-induced ear swelling in a dose-dependent fashion. Daily pre-treatment of the ears for 1 week caused a more marked reduction of DNFB-induced ear swelling during the first 48 h after elicitation. No reduction, but rather an increase in ear swelling was observed with croton oil-induced dermatitis. These results indicate that peptidoleukotrienes play a role in the early stages of elicitation of murine allergic, but not irritant contact dermatitis and that a specific receptor antagonist can only partially reverse the effect of peptidoleukotrienes once the dermatitis is established.