Leukotrienes and related eicosanoids are produced by frog leukocytes

The metabolites of inflammatory cells produced by massive infection of the peritoneal cavity of two related European species of frogs, Rana temporaria and Rana arvalis were examined for lipoxygenase-generated products of exogenous arachidonic acid. Cells of Rana temporaria produced large amounts of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and leukotriene B4. Cells from Rana arvalis produced only 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. This is the first unequivocal demonstration of such enzyme activity in lower vertebrates. There was a trend towards increased mortality in the species without evidence of 5-lipoxygenase activity.