Question

The diagram below indicates four steps. Briefly outline using these four numbers how non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause asthma is some individuals

000000000000 1999 Membrane al phospholipid 8888dddd Arachidonic acid 0 Prostaglandins q Leukotrienes (LTC, LTD)

Answer 1

When the membrane phospholipid due to some chemical or mechenical stimuli, converted to arachidonic acid by the action of phospholipase A. Further the arachidonic acid in presence of cyclooxygenase leads to the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxane, and in presence of lipoxygenase it converts into leukotrienes.

Most of the NSAIDs block the COX-1 enzyme, production of thromboxane and some anti-inflammatory prostaglandins get decreases, this results in the over production of inflammatory leukotrienes, this leads to the severe exacerbation of asthma and other allergic conditions.