Eoxins could be a new therapeutic target for asthma

Increased levels of leukotrienes (LTs) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) are associated with asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Eicosanoids generated through the 15-lipoxygenase (LO) pathway (15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [HETE] and eoxins) have been less studied.

In a study of children with asthma eicosanoids were analyzed in EBC by using mass spectrometry.

Eoxins were increased in asthmatic children. The results point to increased activity of the 15-LO inflammatory pathway in childhood asthma. These markers might represent a new therapeutic target for asthma treatment.

Eicosanoid synthesis. Image source: Wikipedia.

Eicosanoids are signaling molecules made by oxygenation of 20-carbon essential fatty acids. There are 4 families of eicosanoids (PP-LT): prostaglandins (PG), prostacyclins (PGI), leukotrienes (LT) and thromboxanes (TX).

Arachidonic acid. Image source: Wikipedia.

LTC4 is a cysteinyl leukotriene, as are D4 and E4. Image source: Wikipedia.

LTB4. Note the four double bonds, three of them conjugated. This is a common property of A4, B4, C4, D4, and E4. Image source: Wikipedia.

Prostaglandin D2. Image source: Wikipedia.

References:
Eoxins: A new inflammatory pathway in childhood asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Oct;126(4):859-867.e9.