Inhibition of leukotriene release by mofebutazone: a possible clinical advantage

The isolated perfused lung preparation from actively sensitized guinea-pigs was used; after it was challenged with antigen, mediators such as histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes were released into the lung effluent. It was found that treatment of the perfused lungs before and during challenge with mofebutazone (10 micrograms/ml) inhibited the immunological release of prostaglandins as well as leukotrienes. Phenylbutazone, on the other hand, at the same dose level inhibited the release of prostaglandins, whereas the release of leukotrienes was much less affected by the drug. Histamine release was not altered by either drug. When clinically mofebutazone tablets (300 mg) were given as an analgesic twice daily for 15 days to a number of asthmatic volunteers including 3 aspirin-sensitive individuals, there was no increase in the incidence or intensity of the asthmatic attacks, even in the aspirin-sensitive patients. Pulmonary ventilatory functions which showed a certain obstructive pattern were not worsened by the treatment and even tended to be somewhat improved.